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Landscape corridors can increase invasion by an exotic species and reduce diversity of native species
Author(s) -
Resasco Julian,
Haddad Nick M.,
Orrock John L.,
Shoemaker DeWayne,
Brudvig Lars A.,
Damschen Ellen I.,
Tewksbury Joshua J.,
Levey Douglas J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.1890/14-0169.1
Subject(s) - ecology , fire ant , habitat , introduced species , invasive species , abundance (ecology) , landscape connectivity , biology , geography , hymenoptera , biological dispersal , population , demography , sociology
Landscape corridors are commonly used to mitigate negative effects of habitat fragmentation, but concerns persist that they may facilitate the spread of invasive species. In a replicated landscape experiment of open habitat, we measured effects of corridors on the invasive fire ant, Solenopsis invicta , and native ants. Fire ants have two social forms: polygyne, which tend to disperse poorly but establish at high densities, and monogyne, which disperse widely but establish at lower densities. In landscapes dominated by polygyne fire ants, fire ant abundance was higher and native ant diversity was lower in habitat patches connected by corridors than in unconnected patches. Conversely, in landscapes dominated by monogyne fire ants, connectivity had no influence on fire ant abundance and native ant diversity. Polygyne fire ants dominated recently created landscapes, suggesting that these corridor effects may be transient. Our results suggest that corridors can facilitate invasion and they highlight the importance of considering species' traits when assessing corridor utility.