Lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor L.) invasion alters the composition of soil invertebrate communities in two mixed deciduous forests

Abstract

Invasive plant species threaten biodiversity and ecosystem stability, yet their impacts on soil invertebrate communities remain understudied globally. Vinca minor L. (common name: Lesser periwinkle) is an aggressive groundcover invasive plant widely distributed in North America, yet its ecological consequences for belowground fauna are mainly unknown. This study aimed to assess whether V. minor invasion alters soil invertebrate community composition, richness, and abundance in two forested ecosystems in Canada. We conducted a field study across two forested sites, sampling soil invertebrates from naturally invaded and uninvaded plots (n = 40). Invertebrates were extracted using Berlese-Tullgren funnels, identified to morphospecies, and analyzed for changes in abundance, richness, and community composition using Generalized Linear Models, Permanova, and distance-based redundancy analysis (db-RDA). We identified 1183 invertebrates across 12 taxonomic groups, including mites (Oribatida, Mesostigmata, Prostigmata), springtails, annelids, isopods, and arachnids. Invertebrate richness but not abundance was lower in invaded plots than in uninvaded plots, albeit not significantly. For example, spider presence was significantly reduced in invaded plots (p = 0.027). Vinca minor invasion significantly altered community composition (Permanova, p = 0.006), with greater dissimilarity among invaded plots. Db-RDA confirmed that site location and V. minor invasion were key drivers of soil invertebrate community variation. Our findings suggest that V. minor invasion modifies soil invertebrate community structure. Given the widespread distribution of V. minor in North America, its ecological impacts on soil biodiversity raise concerns about potential species losses and alterations in ecosystem processes.