Premium
Similar factors underlie tree abundance in forests in native and alien ranges
Author(s) -
Sande Masha T.,
Bruelheide Helge,
Dawson Wayne,
Dengler Jürgen,
Essl Franz,
Field Richard,
Haider Sylvia,
Kleunen Mark,
Kreft Holger,
Pagel Joern,
Pergl Jan,
Purschke Oliver,
Pyšek Petr,
Weigelt Patrick,
Winter Marten,
Attorre Fabio,
Aubin Isabelle,
Bergmeier Erwin,
Chytrý Milan,
Dainese Matteo,
De Sanctis Michele,
Fagundez Jaime,
Golub Valentin,
Guerin Greg R.,
Gutiérrez Alvaro G.,
Jandt Ute,
Jansen Florian,
JiménezAlfaro Borja,
Kattge Jens,
Kearsley Elizabeth,
Klotz Stefan,
Kramer Koen,
Moretti Marco,
Niinemets Ülo,
Peet Robert K.,
Penuelas Josep,
Petřík Petr,
Reich Peter B.,
Sandel Brody,
Schmidt Marco,
Sibikova Maria,
Violle Cyrille,
Whitfeld Timothy J. S.,
Wohlgemuth Thomas,
Knight Tiffany M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
global ecology and biogeography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.164
H-Index - 152
eISSN - 1466-8238
pISSN - 1466-822X
DOI - 10.1111/geb.13027
Subject(s) - ecology , abundance (ecology) , alien , macroecology , invasive species , introduced species , taxon , biology , habitat , trait , relative species abundance , biogeography , geography , population , demography , sociology , computer science , census , programming language
Aim Alien plant species can cause severe ecological and economic problems, and therefore attract a lot of research interest in biogeography and related fields. To identify potential future invasive species, we need to better understand the mechanisms underlying the abundances of invasive tree species in their new ranges, and whether these mechanisms differ between their native and alien ranges. Here, we test two hypotheses: that greater relative abundance is promoted by (a) functional difference from locally co‐occurring trees, and (b) higher values than locally co‐occurring trees for traits linked to competitive ability. Location Global. Time period Recent. Major taxa studied Trees. Methods We combined three global plant databases: sPlot vegetation‐plot database, TRY plant trait database and Global Naturalized Alien Flora (GloNAF) database. We used a hierarchical Bayesian linear regression model to assess the factors associated with variation in local abundance, and how these relationships vary between native and alien ranges and depend on species’ traits. Results In both ranges, species reach highest abundance if they are functionally similar to co‐occurring species, yet are taller and have higher seed mass and wood density than co‐occurring species. Main conclusions Our results suggest that light limitation leads to strong environmental and biotic filtering, and that it is advantageous to be taller and have denser wood. The striking similarities in abundance between native and alien ranges imply that information from tree species’ native ranges can be used to predict in which habitats introduced species may become dominant.