Our results demonstrate that two functional traits, seed size
and life history stage, determine the eVects of a plant invasion
on tree regeneration in eastern US forests. Microstegium
invasion inhibited the success of planted small-seeded
species, primarily due to dramatic reductions in recruitment
of the most abundant small-seeded species (sweetgum), and
reduced natural colonization rates for three common early
successional tree species. However, Microstegium invasion
did not aVect the success of large-seeded tree species or
trees that were planted as saplings prior to the invasion.
Over the course of the experiment, invaded plots had higher