Artificial mowing can affect the competition between two plant species, Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora, in the Yangtze Estuary. The study found that Spartina alterniflora, an invasive species, became more competitive with native Phragmites australis after mowing. This suggests that mowing can actually help Spartina alterniflora invade the area by boosting its ability to outcompete the native plants.