Abstract
The hypothesis was tested that invasive trees have hydraulic traits that contribute to their invasive nature. Five pairs of co-occurring invasive and native trees, in mesic habitats, were selected: (1) Tamarix ramosissima and Salix amygdaloides; (2) Robinia pseudoacacia and Alnus rhombifolia (3) Schinus terebinthifolius and Myrica cerifera; (4) Ligustrum sinense and Acer negundo; and (5) Sapium sebiferum and Diospyros virginiana, respectively. Resistance to cavitation (the water potential [Ψ x ] at 75% loss of hydraulic conductivity [Ψ75]) was not consistently greater for invasive compared to native species (Ψ75=−1.91 and −1.67 MPa, respectively). Xylem specific conductivity (K s), a measure of xylem efficiency, was not different between native and invasive species (K s = 3.50 and 3.70 kg s−1 MPa−1 m−1, respectively). The lack of difference for resistance to cavitation among invasive and native species suggests that the sampled invaders are not more tolerant to water stress than co-occurring native species. Apparently the spread and invasive nature of the sampled species cannot be explained by hydraulic traits alone.
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Pratt, R.B., Black, R.A. Do Invasive Trees have a Hydraulic Advantage over Native Trees?. Biol Invasions 8, 1331–1341 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-005-0422-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-005-0422-y