Impact of Reynoutria spp. on invertebrate communities
The ecological impact of Reynoutria spp. on invertebrate communities in natural and semi-natural habitats (along riversides) in selected areas in France, Germany and Switzerland was assessed. Results indicate that invasion by Reynoutria spp. does not only have strong effects on native vegetation, but also negatively affects invertebrate communities. In fact, the overall abundance, biomass and diversity of invertebrates in plots invaded by Reynoutria spp. were strongly reduced compared to control plots. In addition, a negative effect of Reynoutria spp. could also be detected in other trophic groups (predators, detritivors). However, not all invertebrate groups responded in the same way, and species numbers of ground beetles were higher in invaded stands. Ground beetles may nevertheless be negatively affected by these exotic plants as indicated by the reduced size of Abax parallelepipedus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) individuals captured on Reynoutria spp.
Sources
Gerber E, Schaffner U, Krebs C, Murrell C (2006) Impact of invasive exotic knotweeds (Fallopia spp.) on invertebrate communities. In: Neobiota. From Ecology to Conservation. 4th European Conference on Biological Invasions. Vienna (Austria), 2006-09-27/29, BfN-Skripten 184: page 132.