Question

13) Provide 1 mechanistic reason for why you might expect to see a negative relationship between native and invasive plant diversity at the local 1 m2 scale. (4 pts) Explain how this relationship could be positive at a larger scale. (4 pts) Draw a graph that shows the potential for both relationships. (4 pts)

Answer 1

Native Plant
A plant that is a part of the balance of nature that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular region or ecosystem. Note: The word native should always be used with a geographic qualifier (that is, native to New England [for example]). Only plants found in this country before European settlement are considered to be native to the United States.

Invasive Plant
A plant that is both non-native and able to establish on many sites, grow quickly, and spread to the point of disrupting plant communities or ecosystems. Note: From the Presidential Executive Order 13112 (February 1999): 'An invasive species is defined as a species that is 1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and 2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.' In contrast to item 2) of the Executive Order, which includes plants invasive in agricultural settings, the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group lists non-native plants as invasive only if they invade minimally managed (natural) areas.

Invasive fruiting plants sometimes can be beneficial to an ecosystem, contrary to prevailing ideas. The discovery is expected to affect the prevailing approach to ecosystem maintenance, which typically involves efforts to eliminate non-native, invasive shrubs.