A Non-native Perennial Invades a Native Forest

摘要: Disturbance is frequently a requirement for non-indigenous plant invasions, but plants that invade in the absence of significant disturbance pose special problems conservationists and land stewards, as invasion rates effects are difficult to predict. Knowledge invader's population ecology essential preservation native communities. A sub-shrub South America, Tibouchina herbacea (Melastomataceae) invading intact, wet forests open, disturbed sites on islands Hawaii Maui. Experimental tests importance reproductive showed canopy cover produced highest germination, survival seed dispersal distance. Ground was less important, had positive effect germination negative survival. Results these experiments suggest T. will probably spread more quickly areas, very capable establishment natural forests. If arrested early stages, manual control may be effective, otherwise landscape-level efforts, such biological control, needed. Prevention forested areas should priority managers Hawaii.