Exotic herb layers as ecological filters in forest understories

A growing body of evidence suggests that exotic herb layers in forest understories are fundamentally altering ecological processes and successional dynamics. The establishment of mono-dominant patches of exotic plants is often influenced by complex interactions between propagule pressure, disturbance, climate, and land-use legacies. We use a combination of field studies and an extensive literature review to explore invasion ecology and consequences of invasion for the perpetuation of native forests along a gradient extending from southern Florida to the northern Lake States. Based on the commonalities between these invasions, we propose a general framework for integrating invasive species detection and control into forest management activities.