Background and aims

: Acacia melanoxylon (Australian blackwood) is an invasive alien species that expands on remnants of native communities of the Paititi Private Nature Reserve (Tandilia System, Argentina). The objective of this work was to design an adaptive management plan to contain the spread of this species.

M&M

: We quantified the area invaded between 2003 and 2020 and described the population structure of A. melanoxylon in sampling plots with two different invasión timeframes: recent and old invaded sites. We identified negative, positive, and neutral impacts of the invasion and proposed impact management strategies.

Results

: We detected a spread of 23.3 ha over native environments in 17 years. Although the basal area of individuals was similar between recent and old invaded sites (18.3 m2 ha-1), the density was higher in recent invaded sites as compared to old invaded sites (3205 and 965 individuals ha-1, respectively). We identified 26 impacts, 73% ecological and negative, and formulated a seven-step management proposal.

Conclusions

: Our results allow us to begin understanding the impacts and dynamics of the invasion of A. melanoxylon and plan on its management. Although we use the reserve as a case study, the management plan can have a projection to other invaded areas of Tandilia. To achieve an efficient and effective invasion management, conservation and recovery of native environments, it will be necessary to conduct collaborative strategies among the different stakeholders involved in the management process.