Origin matters: widely distributed native and non‐native species benefit from different functional traits

Abstract

Recently, ecologists debated whether distinguishing native from non-native species is sensible or not. One argument is that widespread and less widespread species are functionally different, whether or not they are native. An opposing statement points out ecologically relevant differences between native and non-native species. We studied the functional traits that drive native and non-native vascular plant species frequency in Germany by explaining species grid-cell frequency using traits and their interaction with status. Native and non-native species frequency was equally driven by life span, ploidy type and self-compatibility. Non-native species frequency rose with later flowering cessation date, whereas this relationship was absent for native species. Native and non-native species differed in storage organs and in the number of environmental conditions they tolerate. We infer that environmental filters drive trait convergence of native and non-native species, whereas competition drives trait divergence. Meanwhile, introduction pathways functionally bias the frequency of non-native species.

Eradicating invasive Spartina alterniflora with alien Sonneratia apetala and its implications for invasion controls

“…Alien plants have been increasing in floras around the world, with invasive aliens considered as a global threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (Bax et al, 2003;Bjerknes et al, 2007;Knapp and Kühn, 2012). Such invasive aliens usually cause negative economic impacts and costs in the recipient regions (Vilà et al, 2010).…”

Reproduction Biology of an Alien Invasive Plant: A Case of Drought-Tolerant Aster squamatus on the Northern Adriatic Seacoast, Slovenia

“…If in any way the preferred semi-saline habitats become more common, A. squamatus could rapidly invade favourable habitats. Our results show that A. squamatus has some of the characteristics that have been recognised by statistical models from Knapp and Kühn (2012) to be significant for non-native species. One of them is a high level of seed production, which may be explained by non-native species being more frequently able to self-pollinate (Knapp and Kühn 2012).…”

“…Our results show that A. squamatus has some of the characteristics that have been recognised by statistical models from Knapp and Kühn (2012) to be significant for non-native species. One of them is a high level of seed production, which may be explained by non-native species being more frequently able to self-pollinate (Knapp and Kühn 2012). The study site is located in the Sub-Mediterranean part of Slovenia, and between 1951 and 2010 the temperature has risen and precipitation shifted to autumn.…”

Managing Protected Areas in Central and Eastern Europe Under Climate Change

“…The lengthened vegetation period might represent additional benefits for invasive species in the Mediterranean, since these are mostly species which flower late and their flowering period is terminated by oncoming winter. The end of flowering in late season is one of the significant differences between native and non-native species in general (Knapp and Kühn 2012). Similarly, growth and biomass accumulation in non-natives are terminated by the first occurring low temperatures and are not ended gradually by plant senescence, as in most native species.…”