Invasive plants can leave legacies after they have been removed, just as politicians do. Rather than a legacy of public works or corruption, invasive plants may leave a legacy of altered soils, hydrology or new genes. A recent paper by Corbin and D’Antonio summarizes biotic and soil chemistry and physical changes left behind after invasive plant removal. Examples include local extinctions of native species, hybridization with closely related species, and changes to soil communities, soil nitrogen and salinity levels, and soil accumulation rates. These legacies must be considered in planning restorations.
Corbin, J. D. and C. M. D’Antonio. 2012. Gone but not forgotten? Invasive plants’ legacies on community and ecosystem properties. Invasive Plant Science and Management 5(1): 117-124.
