background
High elevation ecosystems harbour a
high biodiversity which could be particularly threatened by invasion of exotic
species. For the moment, those ecosystems are not yet invaded, but propagule
pressure increases with augmented accessibility of remote areas and increased temperature
due to global change. High elevation ecosystems provide therefore in
interesting laboratory to study a for the moment not yet invaded area to gain
insights in some processes of invasion ecology which could permit a more
targeted control of invasive plants species.
The
expected results may contribute to an optimised protection of the biodiversity
in a habitat which is for the moment still hardly affected by invasion by
exotic plants but threatened by global warming and land use changes.
duration & founding
| duration: |
april 2007 - april 2008 |
| founding: |
Conseil général 38, Cemagref |
| collarborators: |
Dr. Fabien Anthelme (IRD Montpellier)
Fréderic Gourgues (Associaton Gentiana, Grenoble) |
methods
In two habitats (grassland and screes) at three altiudinal levels (montane, sub-alpine, alpine), small rhizomes of exotic Fallopia sp.were
planted in trays filled with soil taken at each site and put back
in the digged holes. Particular attention was paid to avoid a maximum
of distrubance. During one field season, biomass productivity of Fallopia sp. was measured above- and belowground and soil humidity and temperature monitored.
publications & links
 Spiegelberger, T. , Anthelme, F., Gourgues, F.
(2008) Propagule pressure, not climate mainly limits Fallopia x bohemica’s
current distribution. Oral presentation, EURECO, Leipzig, Germany.
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last update: June 08
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