Moderate and heavy Solidago canadensis L. invasion are associated with decreased taxonomic diversity but increased functional diversity of plant communities in East China

Erigeron canadensis affects the taxonomic and functional diversity of plant communities in two climate zones in the North of China

“…In contrast, niche differences may play a more vital role in the functional divergence between E. canadensis and coexisting natives compared to habitat filtering under HD. The functional differences between E. canadensis and coexisting natives in the current study are consistent with those reported previously (Hulme & Bernard‐Verdier, ; Wang, Jiang, Liu, et al, ), which indicates that the differences in functional traits between IAS and coexisting natives tend to diverge functionally when subjected to greater selection pressure mediated by biotic interactions but tend to converge functionally when subjected to greater selection pressure mediated by environmental constraints. Additionally, the strong effects of habitat filtering under LD may enable E. canadensis to colonize new habitats during the gradual invasion process.…”

“…The possible reason for the increased plant height of natives in response to the increasing degree of E. canadensis invasion is that HD may exert pressure on the growth of the natives that coexisted with E. canadensis , which may enhance their competitiveness and avoid local extinction. The increased plant height of E. canadensis and coexisting natives with increasing degree of E. canadensis invasion may be associated with rapid growth and stronger competitive ability for acquiring resources (van Kleunen et al, ; Wang et al, ; Wang, Jiang, Liu, et al, ; Wang, Zhou, Liu, et al, ), especially for sunlight, which is the most important ecological factor influencing plant development, growth and survival (Liu et al, ; Meng, Cao, Yang, Niklas, & Sun, ). The obtained results also indicate that both interspecific and intraspecific competition progressively increased with the degree of E. canadensis invasion.…”

“…Additionally, the strong effects of habitat filtering under LD may enable E. canadensis to colonize new habitats during the gradual invasion process. Correspondingly, the intensified effects of niche differences under HD may help E. canadensis to gain an increased competitive advantage, thus maximizing their success and fitness benefit (Wang, Jiang, Liu, et al, ).…”

“…In particular, LD represents the colonization stage of the invasion process and HD represents the landscape spread stage of the invasion process (Kolar & Lodge, ; Rai, ; Theoharides & Dukes, ). The relative abundance of E. canadensis was calculated as the ratio of the number of E. canadensis individuals to the total number of individuals of all plant species in the surveyed quadrats (Melese & Ayele, ; Wang, Jiang, Liu, et al, ; Wang, Jiang, Zhou et al, ). Fourteen replicate quadrats (2 m × 2 m) as well as the surrounding uninvaded area were surveyed for degree of E. canadensis invasion.…”

Degree of invasion of Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) plays an important role in the variation of plant taxonomic diversity and community stability in eastern China

“…Numerous studies have shown that invasive species cause pronounced impacts on the structure and function of plant communities (Martín‐Forés, Guerin, & Lowe, ; Powell, Chase, & Knight, ; Wang, Jiang, Liu, et al, ; Wang, Jiang, Zhou, & Wu, ; Wang, Wu, Jiang, Zhou, & Du, ; Wang, Wu, Jiang, Zhou, Liu, & Lv, ; Wang, Zhou, Liu, et al, ). This study discovered that HDI of goldenrod can lead to a substantial reduction in plant diversity, dominance, and richness, which is in agreement with previous finding (Martín‐Forés et al, ; Powell et al, ; Wang, Jiang, Liu, et al, ; Wang, Zhou, Liu, Wang, & Xiao, ; Wang, Zhou, Liu, Xiao, & Wang, ). A negative correlation between the relative abundance of goldenrod and plant taxonomic diversity (especially plant diversity and dominance) in the invaded communities was also observed in this study.…”