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Multitrophic Impacts Of An Emerging Invasive Plant, Elizabeth J. Roberson

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The invasion of novel habitats by non-native plant species is a worldwide problem with serious economical and ecological implications. Broad biotic and abiotic filters contribute to the overall invasibility of non-native species. Invasive plants have the ability to rapidly establish themselves and outcompete their native counterparts as result of their relationship with herbivorous arthropods. Because invasive plants displace native plants, reduce overall plant diversity, and alter vegetation structure, this can have cascading effects on insect herbivores, particularly those that rely on one or a few food plants, and arthropod predators. The genus Euonymus (Celastraceae) is comprised of 130 species. Euonymus …