Legacy effect of non‐native <scp> <i>Eucalyptus</i> </scp> trees on the regeneration of coastal plant communities

Abstract Introduction When the elimination of a non‐native plant is insufficient to promote the regeneration of indigenous vegetation, secondary interventions, such as the removal of non‐native plant litter, may be appropriate due to legacy effects. Eucalyptus species are known to create legacy effects following control due to litter accumulation, which hinders seed germination and the establishment of native species. Objective We experimentally assessed the potential for natural regeneration after the elimination of planted non‐native Eucalyptus trees on coastal dunes in Southern Brazil, taking into consideration the legacy effect of Eucalyptus litter. Methods We compared richness, diversity, and cover of native species in three conditions: (1) Reference: native vegetation without Eucalyptus ; (2) With Litter (WL): Eucalyptus trees eliminated, litter not removed; and (3) No Litter (NL): Eucalyptus trees eliminated, litter removed. All data were collected in November 2022, April 2023, and October 2023. Results Species richness and vegetation cover were consistently higher in the Reference condition throughout all sampling months compared to the WL and NL conditions. Native species richness was higher in the NL condition, while vegetation cover increased faster compared with the WL condition. Species composition differed between NL and WL areas, with NL changing more rapidly over time compared to WL. In the last month of sampling, higher similarity of species composition was observed in conditions NL and WL. Conclusions The establishment of native species is facilitated once Eucalyptus litter is removed, with faster gains in species richness and vegetation cover.