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  • From: Scott Vlaun <scott@moosepondarts.com>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [permaculture] Science article on exotics
  • Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2006 21:53:00 -0500

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@cornell.edu


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

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  • [permaculture] Science article on exotics, Scott Vlaun, 03/09/2006

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