Consequências da invasão de capins exóticos sobre o estabelecimento de plantas herbáceas e lenhosas no cerrado

Abstract

The expansion of land use for agricultural activities has been accelerating the degradation process of natural ecosystems and consequently creating environments favorable to the biological invasion of exotic species. Invasive grasses are becoming an important point of attention in Brazilian Cerrado areas. These are able to modify the natural environment in addition to competing with native species. This study aimed to assess whether invasive grasses have negative impacts equal too r greater than native grasses with the Community of herbaceous and woody species native to the Cerrado. According to the results, the invading grasses reduced the richness and abundance of herbaceous species, compared to native species. However, the same result was not found for woody species, in which there was no significant difference between abundance and richness in invasive and native species. Therefore, further studies should be carried out to assess the consequences of invasive species on the native species community.