Do roads or streams explain plant invasions in forested protected areas

摘要: Giving land managers the ability to predict invasion patterns can provide planning tools for acquisition and management of protected areas. We compared effects roads streams, two substantial pathways delivery invasive plant propagules sources disturbance that may facilitate invasions, on abundance non-native plants in 27 areas Appalachian Mountains eastern United States. As an extension our road analysis, we also evaluated specific type as a predictor area invadedness. found stream predictors did not improve model included only other covariates (e.g., distance urban area, average canopy cover, slope, edge-to-interior ratio, percent agricultural land, developed land). In this model, was marginally significant predicting parcel However, four-wheel drive (4WD) invadedness well relative types (primary, secondary, local) better than covariates-only model. The role 4WD density be explained by their relation recreation, unmaintained nature roads, or accumulation mud materials vehicles. Although overall streams general poor plants, do propose finding relationship between invasions merits further investigation future.