Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Plant Invasion Impacts On Fungal Community Structure And Function Depends On Soil Warming And Nitrogen Enrichment, M. A. Anthony, K. A. Stinson, J. A. M. Moore, S. D. Frey

Environmental Conservation Faculty Publication Series

The impacts of invasive species on biodiversity may be mitigated or exacerbated by abiotic environmental changes. Invasive plants can restructure soil fungal communities with important implications for native biodiversity and nutrient cycling, yet fungal responses to invasion may depend on numerous anthropogenic stressors. In this study, we experimentally invaded a long-term soil warming and simulated nitrogen deposition experiment with the widespread invasive plant Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) and tested the responses of soil fungal communities to invasion, abiotic factors, and their interaction. We focused on the phytotoxic garlic mustard because it suppresses native mycorrhizae across forests of North America. We …