Granivory from native rodents and competition from an exotic invader strongly and equally limit the establishment of native grasses

摘要: Seed predation and resource competition are fundamental biotic filters that affect the assembly of plant communities, yet empirical studies rarely assess their importance relative to one another. Here, we used rodent exclosures experimental seed additions compare how granivory affected net establishment an exotic invader (Bromus tectorum) two native bunchgrasses (Pseudoroegneria spicata Elymus elymoides) in Great Basin Desert, USA. Rodent limited both grasses, but had no significant effect on B. tectorum. Competition from tectorum neither grass imposed a competitive Interestingly, found grasses same extent, suggesting these interactions may impose equally important barriers local P. E. elymoides. By evaluating strength multiple simultaneous, coordinated experiments, can understand contributions community-level patterns.