Exotic annuals reduce soil heterogeneity in coastal sage scrub soil chemical and biological characteristics.

摘要: Abstract Exotic plant invasions alter ecosystem structure and function above- below-ground through plant–soil feedbacks. The resistance of ecosystems to invasion can be measured by the degree change in microbial communities soil chemical pools fluxes, whereas their resilience ability recover following restoration. Coastal sage scrub (CSS) is one most highly invaded US but response CSS soils exotic little known. We examined biological characteristics annual grasses forbs restoration native community. hypothesized that species would altering nutrient inputs. Additionally, we expected if plants were controlled restored, recover. sampled two locations with invaded, restored for community composition, chemistry communities, phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles. Communities annuals resistant some parameters not others. Extractable nitrogen decreased, cycling rates increased, biomass fungal:bacterial ratios altered soils, these effects mediated phenological stage dominant species. largest impact on was an overall reduction spatial heterogeneity nutrients, communities. Restored plots tended biotic including increased resource compared plots, suggesting are resilient invasion.