File(s) under permanent embargo
Assessing the invasive potential of Eucalyptus globulus in Australia: quantification of wildling establishment from plantations
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 22:51 authored by Larcombe, MJ, Silva, JS, Rene VaillancourtRene Vaillancourt, Bradley PottsBradley PottsEucalyptus globulus is one of the most widely planted temperate hardwood species in the world, and in Australia there are 538,000 hectares growing in plantations. Although it has been reported as invasive, quantification of E. globulus invasion is rare. We conducted surveys at two geographic scales to assess the level of, and factors influencing, wildling establishment from industrial E. globulus plantations in Australia. We surveyed 290 km of plantation boundary, both within (22 %) and outside (78 %) the species native range. In areas of relatively high establishment, a density triggered paired plot approach (plots with and without wildlings) was used to assess fine-scale factors influencing establishment. We recorded 4,939 wildlings (17/km), 98 % of which occurred within 10 m of the plantation edge (maximum 175 m). Establishment varied between regions, ranging from 1.2 to 39.6 wildlings/km. Generalized linear models showed that the probability of a wildling being present increased with plantation age, that wildling abundance was higher along burnt transects, as well as sites that received regular, relatively high rainfall and had lower mean annual temperatures. The only fine-scale/local factor influencing wildling presence was the reproductive output of the plantation. The current level of E. globulus establishment in Australia is low in comparison to other invasive forestry trees. However, given the relatively young age of the Australian estate, local and regional variation in establishment, and potential future changes in plantation management, monitoring is warranted. Implications for assessing the general invasiveness of Eucalyptus and possibilities for E. globulus wildling control are discussed.
Funding
Forest & Wood Products Australia Limited
History
Publication title
Biological InvasionsVolume
15Pagination
2763-2781ISSN
1387-3547Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Springer NetherlandsPlace of publication
Dordrecht, NetherlandsRights statement
Copyright 2013 Springer Science+Business Media DordrechtRepository Status
- Restricted