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Invasive Plant Species: Biology and Impacts on Ecosystems

Explore the effects of plant introductions, naturalizations, and invasions on communities and ecosystems. Case studies on Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida and Hawaii’s naturalized orchids are examined. Study the rapid expansion of Spathoglottis plicata and its impact on native flora. Investigate constraints to naturalization, including mycorrhizae associations and flower herbivory. Uncover the interactions of ants, weevils, and scale insects with Spathoglottis plicata. Expected publication outcomes include studies on native and invasive plant species', pollinators' effectiveness, herbivory impacts, and floral defenses.

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Invasive Plant Species: Biology and Impacts on Ecosystems

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  1. Invasive Species Biology: warring factions James D. Ackerman Raymond Tremblay Paul Bayman & José Carlos Rodrigues

  2. Floristic Globalization • Through a plethora of human activities, plant introductions have been occurring for centuries. • Some have become invasive, drastically altering the communities and ecosystems in which they have become established. • The effects of other plant naturalizations have been more subtle.

  3. Plant Introductions • Some have become invasive, drastically altering the communities and ecosystems in which they have become established. Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida

  4. Hawaii’s naturalized orchids • The effects of other plant naturalizations have been either negligible or more subtle. • Are they invasive?

  5. Puerto Rico • Some of the same exotic species in Hawaii are spreading in Puerto Rico • Where do they occur? • How fast are they spreading? • What are the constraints to the naturalization process? • Are there negative effects on the native flora?

  6. Model System: Spathoglottis plicata • Rapidly expanding range • Terrestrial • Disturbed habitats, both natural and man-made • White & pink forms • Apparently self-polllinating

  7. Where do Spathoglottis plicata occur? • Travel extensive road systems in Puerto Rico, obtain GPS data for every population encountered. • Use GIS techniques to characterize present and potential distribution of S. plicata

  8. How fast is Spathoglottis plicata spreading? • Establish plots where S. plicata occurs, conduct longitudinal demographic study • Conduct periodic roadside transect surveys Raymond Tremblay & Jose Rodrigues

  9. What are the constraints to naturalization? • Mycorrhizae characterization • Many associates or • Specialized on a common mycorrhizal fungus? Paul Bayman with Spathoglottis looking for mycorrhizal fungi Bayman’s students with orchid mycorrhizae cultures

  10. What are the constraints to naturalization? Density dependent flower & fruit herbivory Isa Espinosa at Spathoglottis density study site

  11. Spathoglottis plicata High fruit set • But insect damage to flowers, fruits and inflorescences can severely dampen reproductive success

  12. Spathoglottis plicata • Ants: friends or enemies? Scale insects & ants

  13. Spathoglottis plicata • Ants: friends or enemies? Ants vs beetles

  14. Spathoglottis plicata • Weevil damage: loss of reproductive effort • Weevils are native specialists on orchid flowers Stethobaris polita

  15. Are there negative effects on the native flora? • Is frequency of damage to Bletia patula related to the presence of weevil-infested S. plicata? • Is variation in the presence of the beetle related to reproductive success in B. patula? Almy Cuevas & Wilnelia Recart

  16. CREST/CATECExpected Publication Outcomes • Spatial distribution and performance of native and invasive Ardisia (Myrsinaceae) species in Puerto Rico: the anatomy of an invasion -- Marcia Muñoz • The effectiveness of native and exotic pollinators in Melocactus intortus(Cactaceae)-- Camilo Fagua

  17. CREST/CATECExpected Publication Outcomes • Is floral and fruit herbivory density dependent in naturalized populations of the orchid Spathoglottis plicata? -- Isamalish Espinosa • Are ants effective defenders of the naturalized orchid Spathoglottis plicata? -- Carlos Vega • Naturalized orchids support flower weevil populations: dire consequences for native orchids? -- Wilnelia Recart • Wind and rain does the trick: mechanics of autogamy in naturalized orchid Spathoglottis plicata -- Alvaro Bravo • March of the Spathoglottis: present population growth and expected patterns of migration -- Wilnelia Recart • Ephemeral mycorrhizal specificity in an invasive orchid -- Paul Bayman • Demography of a naturalized orchid: the emerging dominance of Spathoglottis plicata -- Wilfredo Falcon

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