A review on invasive plants in rangelands of Argentina

Abstract

In Argentina, information on invasive plants is restricted to croplands, while no information is available on rangelands. Our objectives were to 1) identify and describe various characteristics of the most important non-native species that have become invasive and widespread in major rangeland territories of Argentina; 2) summarize the biological information about some naturalized, non-native species with potential to transform natural plant communities, and 3) discuss strategies for plant invasion management and biodiversity conservation in local rangeland ecosystems. The invasive species most represented at local, regional or state scale studies were Acroptilon repens, Centaurea solstitialis, Eleagnus angustifolia, Medicago minima, Chondrilla juncea, Dipsacus sativus and Sorghum halepense. Successful invasion and naturalization rates have been the result of several combined ecological traits: 1) capacity to produce allelophatic compounds, 2) deep rooting, 3) high module density, 4) rapid vegetative spread aboveground, 5) various traits that make species highly competitive, 6) tolerance to shading and water stress, 7) ability to take advantage of disturbances, 8) high seed production, germination and dispersal, and 9) high viability of residual seed banks. The determination of the abundance of invasive species at country scale, and their ecological and economical damage, are objectives of future research. This information will be a critical tool to make decisions on the need to control invasive species. Ecological studies providing understanding of the strategies which make an invader species a successful competitor are critical, and should be the first step to establish policies for control of invasive species and use of rangelands.