Native distribution characteristics rather than functional traits explain preadaptation of invasive species to high-UV-B environments

0533812 - BÚ 2021 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Hock, M. - Hofmann, R. - Essl, F. - Pyšek, Petr - Bruelheide, H. - Erfmeier, A.
Native distribution characteristics rather than functional traits explain preadaptation of invasive species to high-UV-B environments.
Diversity and Distributions. Roč. 26, č. 10 (2020), s. 1421-1438. ISSN 1366-9516. E-ISSN 1472-4642
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GX19-28807X
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : plant invasion * species trait * UV-B radiation
OECD category: Ecology
Impact factor: 5.139, year: 2020
Method of publishing: Open access
https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13113

Alien species successfully colonize new ranges if they encounter favourable environmental conditions there and possess traits that match new challenges. Climate-matching approaches comparing native and exotic ranges mostly consider temperature and precipitation niches of alien species, but have largely ignored UV-B radiation. We performed two multi-species common garden experiments, conducted in the native European range (Germany) and the high-UV-B exotic range (New Zealand) to test for preadaptation to UV-B. Our results showed an overall limiting effect of UV-B in both common gardens but the UV-stress response tended to be more pronounced in the invaded range. Across all species, we found little evidence for preadaptation by functional plant traits. In contrast, preadaptation to climatic conditions related to the species native UV-B niche was of greater importance for plant performance in the presence of UV-B radiation.Thus, for predicting alien species ability to expand into high-UV-B environments, macroclimatic niche characteristics of the species native range might be better predictors than functional traits and should be more considered in future projection models.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0313829