Elevated CO₂, temperature and nitrogen levels impact growth and development of invasive weeds in the Mediterranean region

Abstract

BACKGROUND Invasive plant species present a serious threat to the environment, as well as human and animal health. An interaction may exist between the climatic changes and invasive plant species. In this 2‐year study, we investigated the effects of warming, CO2 and nitrogen application on the biomass, growth and leaf tissue nitrogen concentration of three invasive weed species. Treatments were: (i) simulated (elevated) CO2 (approximately 800–900 ppm); (ii) warming or high temperature (day/night 25/15 °C); (iii) simulated (elevated) CO2 combined with high temperature (CO2 = approximately 800–900 ppm; temperature day/night 25/15 °C); and (iv) control conditions (CO2 = approximately 400–450 ppm; temperature day/night 20/10 °C). The doses of nitrogen were: (i) 0 kg ha−1 (control; low); (ii) 60 kg ha−1 (medium); and (iii) 120 kg ha−1 (high). RESULTS Elevated CO2 and elevated CO2 combined with high temperature improved biomass and the growth of the tested invasive weed species: Lactuca serriola L., Hordeum murinum L. and Bromus tectorum L. Nitrogen application had little effect on grasses, whereas the broadleaved weed mostly had a positive response to nitrogen application. Invasive weed species were generally negatively or neutrally affected by warming. CONCLUSION The results of the present study demonstrate that nitrogen fertilization under different climatic conditions improved few of the parameters, whereas elevated CO2 promoted most of the growth parameters of invasive weeds. Overall, is it concluded that these weeds will be more invasive under climate change conditions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry

Additive effects of warming and nitrogen addition on the performance and competitiveness of invasive Solidago canadensis L.

“…The results obtained in this study indicate that nitrogen addition significantly increased and warming slightly decreased species’ growth, which was consistent with Jabran and Dogan (2020) who found that invasive weed species were generally negatively or neutrally affected by warming, and weeds mostly had a positive response to nitrogen application. These results may relate to soil fertility and plant phytohormones (e.g., cytokinin and auxin) improved by nitrogen addition ( Tulloss and Cadenasso, 2016 ; Peng et al., 2019 ).…”

“…These results may relate to soil fertility and plant phytohormones (e.g., cytokinin and auxin) improved by nitrogen addition ( Tulloss and Cadenasso, 2016 ; Peng et al., 2019 ). For another, a decrease in CO 2 assimilation (induced by the inactivation of photosynthetic enzymes) and a greater rate of maintenance respiration with the increasing temperature will ultimately reduce plant growth ( Monteith and Moss, 1997 ; Ziska and Bunce, 1998 ; Jabran and Dogan, 2020 ).…”

Growth and competition between a native leguminous forb and an alien grass from the Cerrado under elevated CO2

“…2010; Runion et al . 2016; Jabran & Dagon 2020) show that alien plants will be more invasive under climate change conditions. In general, invasive species present higher phenotypic plasticity than native ones.…”

“…Invasive plants grown at elevated [CO 2 ] can increase nitrogen and water use efficiency (Runion et al . 2016), biomass production and growth (Jabran & Dogan 2020). Thus, invasive plants may become more problematic under climate change scenarios (Jabran & Dogan 2020).…”

“…2016), biomass production and growth (Jabran & Dogan 2020). Thus, invasive plants may become more problematic under climate change scenarios (Jabran & Dogan 2020). However, there is a lack of studies that investigated the competition between native and invasive species growing under high [CO 2 ].…”