Hydraulic traits of invasive species: towards a mechanistic understanding of biological invasions in a Cerrado restoration area

Abstract

Ecological restoration in the Cerrado is a conservation priority as vegetation in this domain harbors unique biodiversity and provides substantial ecosystem services. Biological invasion is one of greatest challenges to successful restoration as invasive species often overcompete natives, changing community diversity, structure and function. The mechanisms underpinning invasion success are still not clear but theory predicts high invasive success when they have distinct traits than natives in order to avoid competition. Here we aim to test this hypothesis in a Cerrado restoration area. Specifically, we aim to test whether invasive species are different from natives using key functional traits, such as root depth, water-use efficiency and minimum water potentials. The study will be carried out in a restoration experiment in Chapada do Veadeiros National Park, a large protected area of Cerrado. We select the African grass Brachiaria decumbens as an invasive species model due to their high local abundance and widespread distribution in Brazil. The proposal will advance our knowledge regarding the mechanisms associated with invasiveness and thus to the biological invasion itself. This knowledge can support decisions about species selection in Cerrado restoration projects to increase the resistance of restored communities to biological invasion. (AU)