Plant Invasion and Soil Processes: A Mechanistic Understanding

In current scenario of changing climate, invasive plants are affecting the global environment by interfering with the biological community structure and composition and soil processes unprecedently. Plant invasions have dramatically threatened native flora and are responsible for loss in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across the globe. Invasive plants are equipped with rapid growth, high self-regeneration capability and competitive edge in resource acquisition, higher reproduction capacity, multi-resource consumption, and adaptability to diverse niches. It is reported that invasive plants negatively impact agricultural crops, soil nutrients and microbial communities, and consequently overall soil health. They can further influence soil nutrient cycling by altering the soil microbial population through allelopathy and extension. Studies indicate that presence of invasive plants has tendency to promote the activity of N and P metabolizing enzymes. Moreover, plant invasion substantially supports the bacterial and fungal diversity and hence have determining impact on soil processes. Exhibition of variation in their functional traits provides invasive plants a competitive edge against the native plants. Investigations have been done to understand the successful mechanisms of plant invasions and to comprehend why several plant species have more invasive potential than others. This chapter focuses on the impact of invasive plants on soil nutrient profile, microbial activities, and phytodiversity.