Invasion shadows in soil system overshadow the restoration of invaded ecosystems: Implications for invasive plant management

摘要: Abstract Recognizing the global urgency of restoring degraded ecosystems, United Nations has proclaimed 2021–2030 as Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Among various drivers ecosystem degradation, long-persisting impact invasive species in form invasion shadow (or legacy effect) within belowground soil system, even after physical removal plant invaders aboveground, is one major impediments to successful restoration. Using field manipulation experiment, we investigated effects by evaluating ecological changes both above- and systems, following Leucanthemum vulgare – a invader across multiple sites selected along an elevational gradient Kashmir Himalaya. At each site, three types plots were set up: invaded L. referred reference, area plots, spatially separated uninvaded outside reference. The significantly different from reference terms biodiversity metrics. Both richness cover exotic plants increased when compared with plots. However, integrated community composition metric, differed only. Further, standard abiotic metrics, thus clearly suggesting shadows. Our results reveal that, there are persistent invader-induced chemistry, which impedes restoration ecosystem. We conclude that aboveground alone inadequate for call additional management actions anticipate system. Building lessons learnt this study, propose way-forward effective policy interventions guide ecosystems.