General Impact
Jones (1997) reports that C. asiatica produces a thick mat of tangled stems that can be several feet thick, impacting the underlying vegetation by growing on it or shading it out. Its occurrence in Florida’s coastal tropical hardwood forests is of special concern due to the unique nature of this habitat and the rarity of some of its constituent plant species, including a number of Florida State-listed threatened and endangered species. Sites infested by C. asiatica experience a great reduction in biological diversity as very few plants (including the seedlings of the plant itself) can persist under these conditions. Hammocks comprised of native, tropical hardwoods and buttonwoods (Conocarpus erectus L.) are especially vulnerable. Impacts to natural areas include alterations to community composition and structure, diminishment of natural habitats for native wildlife, disruption of species relationships and interactions, and interference with ecological and geological processes such as water and nutrient cycling.
Location Specific Impacts:Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean) Competition: Colubrina asiatica produces a thick mat of tangled stems that can be several feet thick, impacting the underlying vegetation by growing on it or shading it out (Jones, 1997). Modification of nutrient regime: Jones (1997) states that sites infested by Colubrina asiatica experience an interference with ecological and geological processes, such as water and nutrient cycling. Other: Jones (1997) states that sites infested by Colubrina asiatica experience a great reduction in biological diversity and its impacts to natural areas include alterations of community composition and structure, diminishment of natural habitats for native wildlife, and disruption of species relationships and interactions. Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) Competition: Colubrina asiatica is invasive in beach ridges and roadsides, forming dense monospecific stands excluding native vegetation (Burton, 2003 in Varnham, 2006). Mexico Competition: C. asiatica produces a thick mat of tangled stems that can be several feet thick, impacting the underlying vegetation by growing on it or shading it out (Jones, 1997). Modification of nutrient regime: Jones (1997) states that sites infested by Colubrina asiatica experience an interference with ecological and geological processes, such as water and nutrient cycling. Other: Jones (1997) states that sites infested by Colubrina asiatica experience a great reduction in biological diversity and its impacts to natural areas include alterations of community composition and structure, diminishment of natural habitats for native wildlife, and disruption of species relationships and interactions. Florida (USA) (United States (USA)) Competition: Jones (1997) reports that Colubrina asiatica produces a thick mat of tangled stems that can be several feet thick, impacting the underlying vegetation by growing on it or shading it out. Its occurrence in Florida’s coastal tropical hardwood forests is of special concern due to the uniqueness of this habitat and the rarity of some of its constituent plant species, including a number of Florida State-listed threatened and endangered species, such as West Indian mahogany, Florida thatch palm, wild cinnamon, manchineel, prickly-pear and dildo cacti, and a number of bromeliads and orchids. Modification of nutrient regime: Jones (1997) states that sites infested by Colubrina asiatica experience an interference with ecological and geological processes, such as water and nutrient cycling. Other: Jones (1997) states that sites infested by Colubrina asiatica experience a great reduction in biological diversity and its impacts to natural areas include alterations of community composition and structure, diminishment of natural habitats for native wildlife, and disruption of species relationships and interactions.
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