Cat's claw creeper vine, Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae), invasion impacts: comparative leaf nutrient content and effects on soil physicochemical properties

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Contents Vol 60(6)

doi:10.1071/BT12055

Southern Hemisphere Botanical Ecosystems

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Protocols in ecological and environmental plant physiology

Cat’s claw creeper vine, Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae), invasion impacts: comparative leaf nutrient content and effects on soil physicochemical properties

Christine Perrett ^A ^B, Olusegun O. Osunkoya ^A and Cameron Clark ^A

^A Invasive Plants and Animals Science, Biosecurity Queensland, Ecosciences Precinct, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, Ecosciences Precinct, GPO Box 267, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia.
^B Corresponding author. Email: christine.perrett@daff.qld.gov.au

Australian Journal of Botany 60(6) 539-548 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/BT12055
Submitted: 1 March 2012 Accepted: 22 June 2012 Published: 31 August 2012





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Abstract

Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) Gentry (Bignoniaceae) is a major environmental weed in coastal Queensland, Australia. There is a lack of quantitative data on its leaf chemistry and its impact on soil properties. Soils from infested vs uninfested areas, and leaves of M. unguis-cati and three co-occurring vine species (one exotic, two native) were collected at six sites (riparian and non-riparian) in south-eastern Queensland. Effects of invasion status, species, site and habitat type were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Habitat type had a greater effect on soil nutrients than on leaf chemistry. Invasion effect of M. unguis-cati on soil chemistry was more pronounced in non-riparian than in riparian habitat. Significantly higher values were obtained in M. unguis-cati infested (vs. uninfested) soils for ~50% of traits. Leaf ion concentrations differed significantly between exotic and native vines. Observed higher leaf-nutrient load (especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) in exotic plants aligns with the preference of invasive plant species for disturbed habitats with higher nutrient input. Higher load of trace elements (aluminium, boron, cadmium and iron) in its leaves suggests that cycling of heavy-metal ions, many of which are potentially toxic at excess level, could be accelerated in soils of M. unguis-cati-invaded landscape. Although inferences from the present study are based on correlative data, the consistency of the patterns across many sites suggests that M. unguis-cati may improve soil fertility and influence nutrient cycling, perhaps through legacy effects of its own litter input.

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