Chinese tallow tree (Tricdica sebifera (L.)Small) has become a naturalized and colonized species of pine flatwood and/or wet pine savanna habitats along the Gulf Coast. Understanding the impacts of Chinese tallow invasion and establishment on ecosystem resilience of invaded coastal pine flatwood and pine savanna is important to restore this endangered habitat. 56 1/10 acre plots were investigated randomly and 20 Chinese tallow invaded plots were remeasured around the landscape level in Mississippi Sandhill National Wildlife Refuge. We investigated the factors that influence Chines tallow invasion, and the interrelationships between Chinese tallow population and native species under varying burn intervals (e.g., no burn, annual burn, periodic burn). Specifically, 1-year seedlings and the above- and below- ground biomass, height, and diameter at breast height of individuals (≥ 2 years), over- and under-story vegetative conditions, distance to road that may affect Chinese tallow invasion and establishment had been measured in each plot.
Results/Conclusions
The results indicate that flat wood has higher invasion probability than that of savanna. Propagule pressure, stand condition, and fire regimes can significantly influence invasion probability. Distance to road can negatively influence colonization and establishment of Chinese tallow, presence of seed tree can positively affect colonization and establishment of Chinese tallow, both canopy closure and grass cover have positive impacts on colonization, establishment, and spread of Chinese tallow, and time since last fire and mean burn interval influence Chinese tallow seedling and sapling negatively.