Early Detection of Invasive Species on Roadside Slopes in Andean Patagonian Forests of Austrocedrus chilensis (Argentina)

Abstract

The invasion of exotic plants threatens biodiversity, affecting ecosystem services and eco-logical processes in native ecosystems. Road construction creates new environments and contributesto the introduction and spread of exotic and invasive plants. This study aimed to evaluate therepresentation of different functional groups (annual/biannual herbs and grasses, perennial herbsand grasses, shrubs, trees) in the invasion of exotic species within the assemblage on roadside slopesin the Austrocedrus chilensis forest in northwest Andean Patagonia, Argentina. Roadside slopes (RS)and nearby reference areas (RA) were selected, and the cover of native, exotic, and invasive speciesfrom the functional groups was evaluated in 1 m2 plots using the Braun-Blanquet method. It wasfound that invasive perennial herbs and grasses predominated on RS, with a cover (19.6 ± 3.0%)higher than that of RA (8.9 ± 1.5%). Agrostis capillaris and Rumex acetosella were the most abundantinvasive species. Native shrubs and perennial herbs and grasses were predominant on RS, withBaccharis rhomboidalis and Acaena pinnatifida being the most abundant. This study demonstrates thatthe roadside slopes of the Austrocedrus chilensis forest harbor invasive exotic species that can invadenearby natural areas. Early detection of these species is important for proper management andcontrol, thus promoting the conservation of biodiversity in forest environments.