[permaculture] Science article on exotics

Scott Vlaun scott at moosepondarts.com
Thu Mar 9 21:53:00 EST 2006


Whatever your opinion about so-called exotic species, Science just  
published and interesting piece on the topic. Abstract below.

REPORTS
Opposing Effects of Native and Exotic Herbivores on Plant Invasions
John D. Parker,* Deron E. Burkepile, Mark E. Hay



Exotic species are widely assumed to thrive because they lack natural  
enemies in their new ranges. However, a meta-analysis of 63  
manipulative field studies including more than 100 exotic plant  
species revealed that native herbivores suppressed exotic plants,  
whereas exotic herbivores facilitated both the abundance and species  
richness of exotic plants. Both outcomes suggest that plants are  
especially susceptible to novel, generalist herbivores that they have  
not been selected to resist. Thus, native herbivores provide biotic  
resistance to plant invasions, but the widespread replacement of  
native with exotic herbivores eliminates this ecosystem service,  
facilitates plant invasions, and triggers an invasional "meltdown."

School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA  
30332, USA.

* Present address: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,  
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. E-mail: jdp52 at cornell.edu


Scott Vlaun
Moose Pond Arts+Ecology
Design Solutions for a Sustainable Future

35 Moose Pond Road
Otisfield, Maine 04270
207-739-2409 Studio
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