Fire feedbacks facilitate invasion of pine savannas by Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius)

• Published in: The New phytologist Vol. 184; no. 2; pp. 365 - 375
• Main Authors: Stevens, Jens T., Beckage, Brian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.10.2009; Blackwell Publishing; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Anacardiaceae - physiology; Brazilian pepper; Burn units; cellular automata; disturbance regime; Ecological invasion; Ecosystem; Everglades; Fire ecology; fire suppression; Fires; Grassland fires; Models, Biological; Mortality; Peppers; pine rockland savanna; Pine trees; Pinus; Savannas; Schinus terebinthifolius; Temperature; United States; Vegetation; United States

Fire disturbance can mediate the invasion of ecological communities by nonnative species. Nonnative plants that modify existing fire regimes may initiate a positive feedback that can facilitate their continued invasion. Fire-sensitive plants may successfully invade pyrogenic landscapes if they can i...