The removal of invasive woodland leads to community shifts in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Background/Question/Methods

The Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) was introduced to North America from Brazil in the late 1800’s. Since then, S. terebinthifolius has spread throughout Florida, Southern California, and Hawaii. Recent findings showed S. terebinthifolius associates with a variety of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) compared to native plant species. In Southern California, stakeholders have raised 1.5 million dollars to remove S. terebinthifolius from the Upper Newport Bay estuary. The goal of this study was to assess AMF communities prior to removal and post-removal. We used collected soils and roots from S. terebinthifolius and the native arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) prior to treatment efforts. Following treatment completion, only S. lasiolepis was surveyed for roots as S. terebinthifolius was mechanically removed from the project site. We used DNA sequencing and staining to identify AMF in soils and roots.

Results/Conclusions

Preliminary results showed that S. terebinthifolius had 32% higher colonization rate of AMF compared to S. lasiolepis. We expect to see higher OTU abundance of AMF in S. terebinthifolius compared to S. lasiolepis. While roots and woody debris from the of S. terebinthifolius were removed from the project site, secondary plant invasions have encroached the project site. Our preliminary research show that invasive woodland led to significant shifts in taxa of AMF following the removal of S. terebinthifolius. Therefore, AMF play an important role in facilitating plant invasions and respond to restoration efforts.