Multiple invasions in urbanized landscapes: interactions between the invasive garden ant Lasius neglectus and Japanese knotweeds (Fallopia spp.)

International audienceUrbanized landscapes are the theater of multiple simultaneous biological invasions likely to affect spread dynamics when co-occurring introduced species interact with each other. Interactions between widespread invaders call for particular atten- tion because they are likely to be common and because non-additive outcomes of such associations might induce negative consequences (e.g., enhanced population growth increasing impacts or resistance to control). We explored the invasions of two widespread invasive taxa: the Japanese knotweed species complex Fallopia spp. and the invasive garden ant Lasius neglectus, in the urban area of Lyon (France). First, we investigated landscape habitat preferences as well as co-occurrence rates of the two species. We showed that Fallopia spp. and L. neglectus had broadly overlapping environmental preferences (measured by seven landscape variables), but their landscape co-occurrence pattern was random, indicating independent spread and non-obligatory association. Second, as Fallopia spp. produce extra-floral nectar, we estimated the amount of nectar L. neglectus used under field conditions without ant competitors. We estimated that L. neglectus collected 150–321 kg of nectar in the month of April (when nectar production is peaking) in a 1162 m2 knotweed patch, an amount likely to boost ant population growth. Finally, at six patches of Fallopia spp. surveyed, herbivory levels were low (1–6% loss of leaf surface area) but no relationship between ant abundance (native and invasive) and loss of leaf surface was found. Co-occurrences of Fallopia spp. and L. neglectus are likely to become more common as both taxa colonize landscapes, which could favor the spread and invasion success of the invasive ant

How environmental managers perceive and approach the issue of invasive species: the case of Japanese knotweed s.l. (Rhône River, France)

We would like to thank Springer for publishing our article. The final publication is available at http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10530-015-0969-1International audienceStudying the perceptions of stakeholders or interested parties is a good way to better understand behaviours and decisions. This is especially true for the management of invasive species such as Japanese knotweed s.l. This plant has spread widely in the Rhône basin, where significant financial resources have been devoted to its management. However, no control technique is recognized as being particularly effective. Many uncertainties remain and many documents have been produced by environmental managers to disseminate current knowledge about the plant and its management. This article aims at characterizing the perceptions that environmental managers have of Japanese knotweed s.l. A discourse analysis was conducted on the printed documentation produced about Japanese knotweed s.l. by environmental managers working along the Rhône River (France). The corpus was both qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. The results indicated a diversity of perceptions depending on the type of environmental managers involved, as well as the geographicalareas and scales on which they acted. Whereas some focused on general knowledge relating to the origins and strategies of colonization, others emphasized the diversity and efficacy of the prospective eradication techniques. There is a real interest in implementing targeted actions to meet local issues. To do so, however, these issues must be better defined. This is a challenging task, as it must involve all types of stakeholders

Potential macro-detritivore range expansion into the subarctic stimulates litter decomposition: a new positive feedback mechanism to climate change?

As a result of low decomposition rates, high-latitude ecosystems store large amounts of carbon. Litter decomposition in these ecosystems is constrained by harsh abiotic conditions, but also by the absence of macro-detritivores. We have studied the potential effects of their climate change-driven northward range expansion on the decomposition of two contrasting subarctic litter types. Litter of Alnus incana and Betula pubescens was incubated in microcosms together with monocultures and all possible combinations of three functionally different macro-detritivores (the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus, isopod Oniscus asellus, and millipede Julus scandinavius). Our results show that these macro-detritivores stimulated decomposition, especially of the high-quality A. incana litter and that the macro-detritivores tested differed in their decomposition-stimulating effects, with earthworms having the largest influence. Decomposition processes increased with increasing number of macro-detritivore species, and positive net diveristy effects occurred in several macro-detritivore treatments. However, after correction for macro-detritivore biomass, all interspecific differences in macro-detritivore effects, as well as the positive effects of species number on subarctic litter decomposition disappeared. The net diversity effects also appeared to be driven by variation in biomass, with a possible exception of net diversity effects in mass loss. Based on these results, we conclude that the expected climate change-induced range expansion of macro-detritivores into subarctic regions is likely to result in accelerated decomposition rates. Our results also indicate that the magnitude of macro-detritivore effects on subarctic decomposition will mainly depend on macro-detritivore biomass, rather than on macro-detritivore species number or identity

Écologie chimique : quelles applications pour la gestion des renouées ?

One of the most recent research areas in the field of management of invasive species deals with the capacity of plants to produce some growth or development inhibiting compounds. This article describes the different issues, French research projects and methodological challenges raised by this approach.Une des pistes de recherche les plus récentes concernant la gestion des espèces végétales invasives porte sur les capacités des plantes à produire des composés chimiques inhibant la croissance ou le développement d'autres végétaux. Cet article décrit les enjeux, quelques recherches menées en France et les défis posés par cette démarche

État de l'art des techniques de génie végétal pour contrôler les renouées

Based on the competitive effects of native plants, bioengineering technics aim both at controlling the development of Asian knotweeds and at restoring a diverse plant community in invaded areas. These methods are appealing to more and more managers. This article deals with such methods mobilizing herbaceous or ligneous species, associated sometimes with pre-treatments but always with accompanying measures. After a synthesis on the ecological mechanisms involved, some technics specifically used to manage Asian knotweeds are described with a focus on riparian habitats. Finally the conclusion raises the question of the importance to share experiences in order to progress in the implementation of bioengineering methods to control knotweeds.Basées sur l'utilisation des effets compétitifs des végétaux indigènes, les techniques de génie écologique visent à la fois le contrôle du développement des renouées asiatiques et la restauration d'une communauté végétale diversifiée dans les zones envahies. Ces méthodes alternatives intéressent de plus en plus de gestionnaires. Cet article s'intéresse ici à ces techniques, mobilisant des ligneux comme des herbacées, parfois associées à des prétraitements, mais obligatoirement à des mesures d'accompagnement. Après une synthèse des mécanismes écologiques sur lesquels elles reposent, une description de différentes méthodes est proposée, appliquées au cas des renouées asiatiques avec un focus particulier sur les milieux rivulaires. Enfin, la conclusion insiste sur la nécessité de partager et mutualiser les expériences afin de mieux comprendre les déterminants des succès et des échecs et avancer faire une meilleure mise en oeuvre de ces méthodes prometteuses