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Published on: January 19, 2020
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Nonnative tree invaders lead to declines in native tree species richness.
Yunpeng Liu1, Samuel M Scheiner2, J Aaron Hogan3
1Invasion Science Institute, Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
Summary
Nonnative species invasions decrease native tree diversity in U.S. forests. While native biomass remains stable, invaders increase their own richness and biomass, impacting native communities.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Forestry
- Invasive Species Research
Background:
- Biological invasions significantly alter ecosystems globally.
- General patterns of nonnative species impacts on native diversity and productivity remain unclear due to limited study scope.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of nonnative tree invasions on native tree diversity and biomass in eastern U.S. forests.
- To analyze community-level changes in native species richness and biomass in response to nonnative species presence and native species colonization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized over 5 million tree measurements from eastern U.S. forests spanning 1995 to 2023.
- Quantified temporal trends in tree diversity and biomass.
- Analyzed community changes relative to nonnative invasion and native species colonization.
Main Results:
- Native tree species richness declined in invaded plots, while nonnative richness and biomass increased over time.
- Native richness decreased post-invasion, but native biomass and trait/phylogenetic diversity remained stable.
- Native survivors were functionally distinct from invaders, suggesting niche partitioning.
Conclusions:
- Nonnative species play a causal role in the decline of native tree richness in invaded forest communities.
- Niche partitioning may facilitate native species survival despite invasions.
- Native species colonization positively impacts native richness, contrasting with invasion effects.
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