Phylogenetically poor plant communities receive more alien species, which more easily coexist with natives

0369773 - BÚ 2012 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Gerhold, P. - Pärtel, M. - Tackenberg, O. - Hennekens, S.M. - Bartish, Igor - Schaminée, J.H.J. - Fergus, A. J. F. - Ozinga, W.A. - Prinzing, A.
Phylogenetically poor plant communities receive more alien species, which more easily coexist with natives.
American Naturalist. Roč. 177, č. 5 (2011), s. 68-680. ISSN 0003-0147. E-ISSN 1537-5323
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60050516
Keywords : species richness * phylogenetic diversity * invasions
Subject RIV: EF - Botanics
Impact factor: 4.725, year: 2011

Alien species can be a major threat to ecological communities, but we do not know why some community types allow the entry of many more alien species than do others. Here, for the first time, we suggest that evolutionary diversity inherent to the constituent species of a community may determine its present receptiveness to alien species. Using recent large databases from observational studies, we find robust evidence that assemblage of plant community types from few phylogenetic lineages corresponds to higher receptiveness to aliens. Establishment of aliens in phylogenetically poor communities corresponds to increased phylogenetic dispersion of recipient communities and to coexistence with rather than replacement of natives. We conclude that if quantified across the tree of life, high biodiversity hinders the establishment of alien species. Low phylogenetic biodiversity, in contrast, facilitates coexistence between natives and aliens even if they share similar trait states.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0203764