Spatial patterns of presence, abundance, and richness of invasive woody plants in relation to urbanization in a tropical island setting

Lowry, Brenda and Lowry, John and Jarvis, Karl and Keppel, Gunnar and Thaman, Randolph R. and Boehmer, Hans J. (2020) Spatial patterns of presence, abundance, and richness of invasive woody plants in relation to urbanization in a tropical island setting. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 48 . NA. ISSN 1618-8667

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Abstract

Tropical Pacific island countries, many of which are less-developed, are experiencing invasions of alien plant
species at rates faster than areas of comparable size elsewhere. In this paper we examine the relationship between the presence, abundance, and richness of 14 invasive woody plant (IWP) species and level of urbanization and road type in the Greater Suva Urban Area (GSUA), Fiji. One hundred and fifty-four sample locations within a 29 km transect traversing urban, peri-urban and rural land sectors on local, collector and arterial roads were surveyed. We analyzed the 14 species for frequency of occurrence across the urban-rural gradient and found
spatial patterns of IWP presence differed by species. We analyzed the abundance of seven species using multivariable regression and found abundance was more often influenced by urban-rural sector than road type,
though road type had a significant effect for some species. We conclude by offering plausible explanations for differences attributed to modes of dispersal, introduction history and human activities. We include supplementary material providing detailed characterization of biology, ecology, and history of the 14 target species. These findings are expected to help inform risk assessments and management of IWP in other tropical urbanrural gradients, and especially small island developing states.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography Q Science > QK Botany
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Geography, Earth Science and Environment
Depositing User:	Naohiro Nakamura
Date Deposited:	27 Apr 2021 03:38
Last Modified:	27 Apr 2021 03:38
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/12667

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