Invasive alien plant control: The priority to save one of the most rapidly declining island-endemic plant species worldwide

Journal for Nature Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 73, P. 126417 - 126417

Published: May 3, 2023

Language: Английский

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Do Native and Alien Species Differ in Their Ecological Strategies? A Test with Woody Plants in Tropical Rainforests on Réunion Island (Mascarene Archipelago, Indian Ocean)

Plants, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(23), P. 3990 - 3990

Published: Nov. 27, 2023

Understanding the mechanisms of biological invasions (e.g., competitive exclusion) is a key conservation challenge, especially on islands. Many have been tested by comparing characteristics native and alien species, but few studies considered ecological strategies. Here we aim at ability, stress tolerance, ruderalism (CSR) trees in tropical rainforests Réunion Island. A total sixteen 100 m2 plots (eight ‘near-trail’ eight ‘off-trail’, less disturbed sites) were established over 2100 m elevational gradient. Three traits measured 1093 leaves from 237 trees: leaf area, dry matter content specific area. They converted into CSR score assigned to each 80 surveyed tree species (70 10 alien) using ‘Stratefy’ ordination approach. C scores increased with basal area S elevation, R not higher along trail, thus only partially validating Stratefy. Native had similar CS strategies, challenging invasion hypotheses predicting difference strategies rather demonstrating importance environmental filtering. However, other differences falling outside theory may also explain success Réunion.

Language: Английский

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A test of island plant syndromes using resource‐use traits

Journal of Systematics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 62(2), P. 233 - 241

Published: Oct. 29, 2023

Abstract Despite representing a fraction of the global terrestrial surface area, oceanic islands are disproportionately diverse in species, resulting from high rates endemicity. Island plants thought to share unique phenotype—referred as an island syndrome—which is be driven by convergent evolution response selection shared abiotic and biotic factors. One aspect plant syndrome that has received relatively little research focus expected have converged on conservative resource use associated with slow growth weak competitive abilities. Here we tested whether native, woody Hawaiian species phenotypically distinct—with more resource‐conservative leaf traits—compared globally distributed sample continental species. Using archipelago‐wide trait data set, detected average, native had lower nutrient concentrations overall, at mass per but no other phenotypic differences compared plants. There was also considerable overlap spaces Our findings indicate for traits not present flora, can demonstrate extensive variation their resource‐use strategies, scale comparable worldwide.

Language: Английский

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Adaptive responses to living in stressful habitats: Do invasive and native plant populations use different strategies?

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Plants inhabit stressful environments characterized by a variety of stressors, including mine sites, mountains, deserts, and high latitudes. Populations from reference (non‐stressful) sites often have performance differences. However, while invasive native species may respond differently to environments, there is limited understanding the patterns in reaction norms populations these sites. Here, we use phylogenetically controlled meta‐analysis assess under stress non‐stress conditions. We ask whether natives invasives differ magnitude lowered conditions if they vary degree advantage stress. also assessed distinctions with intensity. Our findings revealed that not only greater adaptive advantages but more reductions than invasives. very had efficient adaptations, costs increased intensity only. Overall, results support notion adaptation frequently costless. Reproductive output was most closely associated benefits. study strategies used plants conditions, thereby providing important insights into limitations extreme

Language: Английский

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Vulnerability and resilience of rainforests to plant invasions in a tropical island of the South Pacific: a sixteen-year survey

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 27, 2024

Island biodiversity is considered to be particularly vulnerable biological invasions. However, the direct impacts of invasive alien plants on native and endemic flora are often difficult assess. Indeed, invasion by woody species a relatively slow process, natural or anthropogenic disturbances that favor some plant invaders, also contribute loss, might act as confounding factors. Hence, we conducted long-term monitoring rainforest composition structure in small tropical high volcanic island Moorea (French Polynesia, South Pacific) over 16-year (2006–2022) period without any major disturbance. All endemic, with stem ≥ 1 cm diameter were identified measured 4-year frequency ten 20 m × plots. The variation richness, Shannon diversity, Pielou evenness abundance time was analyzed using linear mixed-effects models identities plots random Results revealed an increase number stems (+ 50% 16 years), especially two most common trees, Miconia calvescens (Melastomataceae) Spathodea campanulata (Bignoniaceae). In contrast, found decrease richness (from 28 19) (-20% stems) species, higher-elevation Three remained stable terms invasions according indices, persisted time. Although continuous decline including extirpation, observed, our results suggest relative resilience certain forest types associated communities Efforts control should therefore target habitats.

Language: Английский

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Why studying the response of trait coordination to insularity matters?

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 51(9), P. 1587 - 1595

Published: Aug. 25, 2023

Abstract Functional island biogeography can provide eco–evolutionary insights into which main drivers contribute to shaping the distribution of organisms' forms and functions on islands. It does so by examining trait patterns. As a result, traits are increasingly studied islands, either along insularity gradients or comparing patterns versus mainland biota. So far, functional has investigated trends values (i.e., average, diversity), whereas coordination between pairs remains unexplored gradients. Yet, analyses constitute foundational tool detect spectra strategies organisms. In this perspective, we set out offer conceptual analytical framework that should facilitate inclusion co–variation both at intra– interspecific level) in biogeography. We illustrate, with case study focused persistence edaphic plant specialists, what type be gained response variation insularity. asked two questions, namely whether, increasing insularity, strength relationship ( R 2 ) increases (Q1), direction (slope) decreases (Q2). positively answered our research lines evidence suggesting selective “forcing” towards tighter more strongly coordinated trade‐offs infer ecological biogeographic could behind observed patterns, while acknowledging possible drawbacks. conclude identifying three take–home messages related future directions for integrating further advance field.

Language: Английский

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The impact of invasive alien species on threatened and endangered species: A geographic perspective

Wildlife Society Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 6, 2024

Abstract Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the most serious threats to global biodiversity and leading causes federal protection required for native under United States Endangered Species Act (ESA). Our goal was document how IAS impact threatened endangered (T&ES) ESA improve recovery efforts. We reviewed Federal Register listing decisions 1,545 T&ES listed found that 58% were impacted by IAS. Pacific Island (97%) face greater from compared Mainland (38%) Atlantic (22%), but number impacting has increased over time in all 3 geographic areas, except animals on Islands. On Islands, we through adverse habitat modification competition, mainly invasive plants. Negative interactions caused fish plants, while Islands they mammals The causing greatest negative included rats ( Rattus ), wild pigs Sus goats Capra (e.g., Lepomis Micropterus various genera plants Schinus , Rubus Psidium ). Based our findings, immediate actions needed protect U.S. IAS, especially Such management include eradication restoration habitat, development robust policies aim prevent further spread establishment effective decision support tools. These will require coordinated leadership T&ES, given synergistic impacts international trade climate change.

Language: Английский

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