Background:

Invasive exotic species exhibit different ecological traits that confer them competitive advantages over native vegetation, causing significant impacts on biodiversity.

Questions:

What is the invasion risk of Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché, considering its ecological traits and the potential impacts it may be causing in forest remnants?

Study site and dates:

The research was conducted in 2021 at the Reserva Forestal Thomas van der Hammen and its surrounding area, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.

Methods:

Various ecological traits of C. ficifolia were examined through field and laboratory experiments. Ecosystem impacts were analyzed through a multi-temporal analysis using satellite imagery and with the characterization of vegetation and key orders of pollinating insects. This information was utilized to assess its invasion risk.

Results:

Propagation of C. ficifolia occurred through sexual reproduction, with a generational time of less than one year. The C. ficifolia showed abundant seed production (> 70 % viable), high morphological variability in its fruits and seeds. The dominance of C. ficifolia correlated with forest contraction points, leading to significant changes in vegetation composition and structure, and some ecosystem processes. C. ficifolia was rated as having a high invasion risk.

Conclusions:

C. ficifolia exhibits multiple ecological traits that are linked to high invasiveness, allowing it to successfully establish itself in forest remnants with relevant effects on the ecosystem.

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