Effects of Light on the Transition From Sapling to Adult Prunus cerasus : Implications for Managing Invasion in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina

Invasive Prunus cerasus, known for its long-distance seed dispersal via frugivory, shows significant variation in the transition from sapling to adult phase based on light availability. Research in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina, reveals that 80% of individuals with a basal diameter of 2 cm flower under low canopy cover, while those under high cover require a 4 cm diameter—corresponding to ages of 10 and 20 years, respectively. Dendrochronology and light measurements confirmed that canopy cover influences daily light intensity and photoperiod, critical for flowering. These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing the removal of P. cerasus in low-canopy areas before saplings reach a 2 cm basal diameter to effectively manage invasions.

Berrondo, M. O., & Bravo, S. P. (2025). Effects of Light on the Transition From Sapling to Adult Prunus cerasus : Implications for Managing Invasion in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina. Austral Ecology, 50(10). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70133