Underground Explorers

The study site is located in a split structure within the fluvial wetland of the Rio Uruguay, the largest of its kind in Uruguay. The site offers a natural experiment for studying vegetation succession, with three areas at clearly defined stages: mature, intermediate, and neoformation, progressing from north to south. Although the ecosystem holds significant conservation value, it faces serious threats from the invasive legume Gleditsia triacanthos, which is displacing native species in parts of the riparian forest. In Uruguay, Gleditsia triacanthos is recognized as one of the two most invasive woody species, posing a significant threat to native forests due to its ability to outcompete and replace native vegetation. Soil microbial communities play key roles in plant health and establishment, thus, we aim to investigate how this invasive species interacts with the soil microbial community and how this interaction differs from that of native species. This site presents an opportunity to enhance our understanding of the relationship between a non-native invasive species and the native microbial community within the framework of ecological succession.