Canada Goldenrod Invasion Regulates the Effects of Soil Moisture on Soil Respiration.

Canada goldenrod ( L.) is considered one of the most deleterious and invasive species worldwide, and invasion of riparian wetlands by can reduce vegetation diversity and alter soil nutrient cycling. However, little is known about how invasion affects soil carbon cycle processes, such as soil respiration, in a riparian wetland. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different degrees of invasion on soil respiration under different moisture conditions. Soil respiration rate (heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration) was measured using a closed-chamber method. invasion considerably reduced soil respiration under all moisture conditions. The inhibition effect on autotrophic respiration was higher than that on heterotrophic respiration. The water level gradient affects the soil autotrophic respiration, thereby affecting the soil respiration rate. The changes in soil respiration may be related to the alteration in the effective substrate of the soil substrate induced by the invasion of . While the effects of invasion were regulated by the fluctuation in moisture conditions. Our results implied that invasion could reduce the soil respiration, which further potentially affect the carbon sequestration in the riparian wetlands. Thus, the present study provided a reference for predicting the dynamics of carbon cycling during invasion and constituted a scientific basis for the sustainable development and management of riparian wetlands invaded by alien plants.