Altering Light Availability to Restore Invaded Forest: The Predictive Role of Plant Traits

Authors:
Funk, J.L. and S. McDaniel

Publication Date:
2010

Abstract/Summary:
Many studies have demonstrated that reduced light availability, which can be manipulated at local scales by planting or seeding canopy species, can curtail the growth of invasive species and promote the growth of native species. Species differences in functional traits, such as light use and stress tolerance, may be used to determine how native and invasive species will respond to these resource manipulations. Our data suggest that differences in light use among native and invasive species can help to determine the utility of resource manipulation as a restoration tool and, more specifically, to predict which native species will be optimal for restoration efforts that manipulate light availability.

Resource Type:
Peer-reviewed Article

Source:
Restoration Ecology

Link:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1526-100X.2008.00515.x/abstract