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Landscape factors driving the spread of the invasive grass, Hymenachne amplexicaulis, among wetlands in a Florida subtropical grazing land

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2020

Elizabeth H. Bouchard ,
Grégory Sonnier Open the ORCID record for Grégory Sonnier [Opens in a new window] ,
Steffan Pierre Open the ORCID record for Steffan Pierre [Opens in a new window] ,
Amartya Saha Open the ORCID record for Amartya Saha [Opens in a new window] ,
Vivienne Sclater  and
Elizabeth H. Boughton Open the ORCID record for Elizabeth H. Boughton [Opens in a new window]
Elizabeth H. Bouchard
Affiliation:
Research Intern, Archbold Biological Station–Buck Island Ranch, Lake Placid, FL, USA
Grégory Sonnier*
Affiliation:
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Archbold Biological Station–Buck Island Ranch, Lake Placid, FL, USA
Steffan Pierre
Affiliation:
Research Specialist, Archbold Biological Station–Buck Island Ranch, Lake Placid, FL, USA
Amartya Saha
Affiliation:
Eco-hydrologist, Archbold Biological Station–Buck Island Ranch, Lake Placid, FL, USA
Vivienne Sclater
Affiliation:
GIS and Data Manager, Archbold Biological Station–Buck Island Ranch, Lake Placid, FL, USA
Elizabeth H. Boughton
Affiliation:
Associate Research Biologist, Program Director, Agroecology, Archbold Biological Station–Buck Island Ranch, Lake Placid, FL, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Grégory Sonnier, Archbold Biological Station–Buck Island Ranch, Lake Placid, FL33852. (Email: gsonnier@archbold-station.org)
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Abstract

Wetlands embedded in agroecosystems provide vital ecosystem services (i.e., freeze protection, water retention, nutrient cycling, biodiversity support). However, they are particularly susceptible to invasion by nonnative species. West Indian marsh grass [Hymenachne amplexicaulis (Rudge) Nees] is a major wetland invader in Florida. Despite the documented consequences of H. amplexicaulis invasions, the landscape factors influencing the spread of this species are poorly understood. In this study, we asked whether landscape factors associated with wetland isolation, connectivity, and land management influence the presence of H. amplexicaulis among wetlands embedded in pastures. We recorded the presence or absence of H. amplexicaulis in 158 seasonal wetlands embedded in different pasture types (semi-natural vs. intensively managed). Wetland area, isolation from neighboring wetlands, isolation from the nearest source ditch, and connectivity were determined using a geographic information system (GIS). We related landscape factors to H. amplexicaulis using generalized linear models and model selection based on the second-order Akaike information criterion. Hymenachne amplexicaulis was first detected at the study site in the early 2000s. By 2018, we observed this species in 66% of the surveyed wetlands. The likelihood of observing H. amplexicaulis was higher in wetlands embedded in semi-natural pastures and higher in less isolated wetlands, especially when connected to a ditch. These results indicate that H. amplexicaulis spreads both overland (during seasonal flooding) and via the ditch network. Future work is needed to understand whether seeds or stolons are the primary invasion propagule and whether the species forms a persistent seed bank that could slow down restoration efforts. Additionally, further research is required to understand the ecological impact of this highly invasive plant in Florida wetlands.

Keywords

Dispersalditch networkseasonal wetlandswetland isolationwetland connectivity
Type
Case Study
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , September 2020 , pp. 155 - 162
Copyright
© Weed Science Society of America, 2020

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Footnotes

Associate Editor: Guillaume Fried, ANSES

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