Temporal dynamics of plant-soil microbial interactions in exotic plant invasions

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Exotic invasive species represent a major environmental disturbance with significant ramifications to the economy and society. Many plant species invade large parts of Canada, including the understory of forests. A major concern is their long-term consequences to soil, plant and forest health. Using a substitution of geographic space for time (i.e., invasion age), this research program will determine long-term effects of highly invasive plants on soil microbial diversity and function (i.e., the capacity of soil organisms to influence the growth and reproductive success of plants). This will be achieved using a combination of field and greenhouse experiments along with molecular and traditional microbiology methods. The research will also investigate temporal patterns of plant-microbial interactions in their capacity to cause declines in invasive and/or native plant populations. This knowledge is important to understand the consequences of plant invasions and to inform invasive species management decisions. If certain invasive species are found to cause long lasting changes to the capacity of soils to support native species, control measures should be put in place more readily. Conversely, if invasive plant populations are declining as a result of pathogen accumulation we may no longer need to allocate resources for control. Therefore, this research is important for governments, environmental managers, biologists and nature conservationists. It is anticipated that we will gain a better understanding of soil microbial diversity in response to plant invasions and, consequently, how soil health may change in its capacity to support native plant species.