Ficus rubiginosa (tree, shrub)

Ecology Distribution Management Info Impact Info References and Links Contacts

General Impact In suitable climates, Ficus rubiginosa readily establishes on trees and infrastructure in urban areas, and on trees and rocky areas in rural areas. It can invade forests in any successional phase and regardless of disturbance. Its aseasonal, heavy cropping can substantially affect the behaviour and number of frugivores in areas where it occurrs. In New Zealand, F. rubiginosa lacks natural enemies, and is noted as being avoided by possums when browsing (Gardner and Early, 1996). Gilman and Watson (1993) report that the fruit does not attract wildlife on the USA mainland, but in Hawaii though, Starr et al. (2003) report that a variety of birds consume the fruit and disperse the seeds. These characteristics along with this species ability to quickly reach large sizes raise concerns that F. rubiginosa could invade forest habitats and affect native plant communities in Australasia-Pacific regions (Gardner and Early, 1996; PIER, 2005). Further, urban areas within and outside the species natural range can be invaded from ornamental plantings, resulting in damage or destruction of urban trees and infrastructure (McPherson 1999, 2004).          Location Specific Impacts: east coast (Australia) (Australia)   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure New South Wales (Australia)   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure Queensland (Australia)   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure Melbourne (Australia)   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure New Zealand   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure Ecosystem change: As a 'keystone' species for frugivores due to its asynchronous fruiting pattern, F. rubiginosa naturalization may introduce a new suite of frugivores or dramatically change the behaviour and abundance of native frugivores. Modification of successional patterns: As a lithophyte, F. rubiginosa may replace native plants such as Metrosideros spp. in early successional communities. As a long lived species it would prevent later successional phases occuring. Further, as a hemi-epiphyte, F. rubiginosa is capable of invading a forest or woodland community at any successional phase. Reduction in native biodiversity: As a strangler, F. rubiginosa is capable of replacing native trees in undisturbed forest, potentially reducing the specific diversity of the forest, and reducing the proportion of native trees in the forest. Auckland Region (New Zealand)   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure Ecosystem change: As a 'keystone' species for frugivores due to its asynchronous fruiting pattern, F. rubiginosa naturalization may introduce a new suite of frugivores or dramatically change the behaviour and abundance of native frugivores. Modification of successional patterns: As a lithophyte, F. rubiginosa may replace native plants such as Metrosideros spp. in early successional communities. As a long lived species it would prevent later successional phases occuring. Further, as a hemi-epiphyte, F. rubiginosa is capable of invading a forest or woodland community at any successional phase. Reduction in native biodiversity: As a strangler, F. rubiginosa is capable of replacing native trees in undisturbed forest, potentially reducing the specific diversity of the forest, and reducing the proportion of native trees in the forest. Bay of Plenty Region (New Zealand)   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure Ecosystem change: As a 'keystone' species for frugivores due to its asynchronous fruiting pattern, F. rubiginosa naturalization may introduce a new suite of frugivores or dramatically change the behaviour and abundance of native frugivores. Modification of successional patterns: As a lithophyte, F. rubiginosa may replace native plants such as Metrosideros spp. in early successional communities. As a long lived species it would prevent later successional phases occuring. Further, as a hemi-epiphyte, F. rubiginosa is capable of invading a forest or woodland community at any successional phase. Reduction in native biodiversity: As a strangler, F. rubiginosa is capable of replacing native trees in undisturbed forest, potentially reducing the specific diversity of the forest, and reducing the proportion of native trees in the forest. Hawke's Bay Region (New Zealand)   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure Ecosystem change: As a 'keystone' species for frugivores due to its asynchronous fruiting pattern, F. rubiginosa naturalization may introduce a new suite of frugivores or dramatically change the behaviour and abundance of native frugivores. Modification of successional patterns: As a lithophyte, F. rubiginosa may replace native plants such as Metrosideros spp. in early successional communities. As a long lived species it would prevent later successional phases occuring. Further, as a hemi-epiphyte, F. rubiginosa is capable of invading a forest or woodland community at any successional phase. Reduction in native biodiversity: As a strangler, F. rubiginosa is capable of replacing native trees in undisturbed forest, potentially reducing the specific diversity of the forest, and reducing the proportion of native trees in the forest. Northland Region (New Zealand)   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure Ecosystem change: As a 'keystone' species for frugivores due to its asynchronous fruiting pattern, F. rubiginosa naturalization may introduce a new suite of frugivores or dramatically change the behaviour and abundance of native frugivores. Modification of successional patterns: As a lithophyte, F. rubiginosa may replace native plants such as Metrosideros spp. in early successional communities. As a long lived species it would prevent later successional phases occuring. Further, as a hemi-epiphyte, F. rubiginosa is capable of invading a forest or woodland community at any successional phase. Reduction in native biodiversity: As a strangler, F. rubiginosa is capable of replacing native trees in undisturbed forest, potentially reducing the specific diversity of the forest, and reducing the proportion of native trees in the forest. Maui Is. (United States (USA))   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure Ecosystem change: As a 'keystone' species for frugivores due to its asynchronous fruiting pattern, F. rubiginosa naturalization may introduce a new suite of frugivores or dramatically change the behaviour and abundance of native frugivores. Modification of successional patterns: As a lithophyte, F. rubiginosa may replace native plants such as Metrosideros spp. in early successional communities. As a long lived species it would prevent later successional phases occuring. Further, as a hemi-epiphyte, F. rubiginosa is capable of invading a forest or woodland community at any successional phase. Reduction in native biodiversity: As a strangler, F. rubiginosa is capable of replacing native trees in undisturbed forest, potentially reducing the specific diversity of the forest, and reducing the proportion of native trees in the forest. Oahu Is. (United States (USA))   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure Ecosystem change: As a 'keystone' species for frugivores due to its asynchronous fruiting pattern, F. rubiginosa naturalization may introduce a new suite of frugivores or dramatically change the behaviour and abundance of native frugivores. Modification of successional patterns: As a lithophyte, F. rubiginosa may replace native plants such as Metrosideros spp. in early successional communities. As a long lived species it would prevent later successional phases occuring. Further, as a hemi-epiphyte, F. rubiginosa is capable of invading a forest or woodland community at any successional phase. Reduction in native biodiversity: As a strangler, F. rubiginosa is capable of replacing native trees in undisturbed forest, potentially reducing the specific diversity of the forest, and reducing the proportion of native trees in the forest. Hawaii (United States (USA))   Damage to host species: As a strangler fig, F. rubiginosa will frequently damage or kill its support plant (phorophyte). Economic/Livelihoods: As a potentially huge lithophyte, F. rubiginosa requires a strict control regime or it can inflict serious damage on urban infrastructure Ecosystem change: As a 'keystone' species for frugivores due to its asynchronous fruiting pattern, F. rubiginosa naturalization may introduce a new suite of frugivores or dramatically change the behaviour and abundance of native frugivores. Modification of successional patterns: As a lithophyte, F. rubiginosa may replace native plants such as Metrosideros spp. in early successional communities. As a long lived species it would prevent later successional phases occuring. Further, as a hemi-epiphyte, F. rubiginosa is capable of invading a forest or woodland community at any successional phase. Reduction in native biodiversity: As a strangler, F. rubiginosa is capable of replacing native trees in undisturbed forest, potentially reducing the specific diversity of the forest, and reducing the proportion of native trees in the forest.