Associations between Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) and common native species in an African savanna

Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) is recognised as a problematic invasive
alien plant species in many parts of the world. To eradicate or control
this global invader, we need to understand the drivers of its spread and
impacts and the potential for native recovery after the invader has been
removed. Here, we tested for species associations between L. camara and
native plant species and large herbivores in Queen Elizabeth National
Park, Uganda. We inventoried 40 100-m2 nested plots spread over a 1 × 1-km
grid cell in the park’s savanna landscape, with 11 plots located in
uninvaded areas. Most of the plots (30 of 40) had been affected by
fire.  Lantana camara covered 29 (73%) plots, 11 (38%) of which
were in open grassland. Of the large herbivores that frequented areas free
of L. camara, the Ugandan kob Adenota kob thomasi Sclater tended to avoid
the areas invaded. The floristic composition of invaded areas differed
significantly from that of noninvaded areas, with several palatable
species rare or absent from L. camara-invaded areas.  Practical
implication: These observations indicate the presence of potential
recovery constraints that will need to be overcome after L.
camara has been removed. Sustained efforts will be needed to suppress the
invader and subsequently enrich and bolster native recovery.