BIBLIOS

Document type
Book chapters


Title
Ecological Impacts and Changes in Ecosystem Services and Disservices Mediated by Invasive AustralianAcaciaSpecies

Participants in the publication
David C. Le Maitre (Author)
Cristina Máguas (Author)
Dep. Biologia Vegetal
CE3C
Florian Ulm (Author)
Dep. Biologia Vegetal
Unidade de I&D e Inovação
CE3C
Hélia Marchante (Author)

Summary
Australian Acacia species (‘wattles’) have been introduced to many parts of the world for diverse reasons. Several of them have become invasive, resulting in negative ecological impacts. These impacts range from structural changes to invaded communities (e.g. changes in canopy cover or native plant species composition) to impacts on ecosystem functioning (e.g. nutrient and water cycling, various below- and above-ground biotic interactions) that are interlinked in complex ways and translate into changes in both ecosystem services and disservices. Introduced wattles may increase ecosystem services initially (e.g. by facilitating restoration of degraded land, increasing uses for subsistence), but over time these impacts are dwarfed by the negative impacts on ecosystem services (e.g. decreasing water availability for people and animals) or even replaced by ecosystem disservices (e.g. increased difficulty in fire control, increased soil erosion, flooding). Connections among these multiple impacts are elucidated and discussed throughout the chapter. The adverse ecological impacts of invasive wattles are well documented in several countries, notably in Portugal, South Africa and Spain. Yet, the management of invasive wattles remains challenging due to the time and monetary resources needed. There are also new opportunities to optimize the values that wattles bring to landscapes; however, once they become widespread and abundant invaders, negative impacts rapidly exceed perceived benefits, in some instances leading to regime shifts that permanently change invaded ecosystems.


Where published
Wattles – Australian Acacia Species Around the World

Publication Identifiers

Publisher
CABI



Document Identifiers
DOI - https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800622197.0022
URL - https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800622197.0022
ISBN - 978-1-80062-217-3

Keywords
Acacia