Invasive species differ in key functional traits from native and non-invasive alien plant species

• Published in: Journal of vegetation science Vol. 30; no. 5; pp. 994 - 1006
• Main Authors: Mathakutha, Rabia, Steyn, Christien, le Roux, Peter C., Blom, Izak J., Chown, Steven L., Daru, Barnabas H., Ripley, Brad S., Louw, Anche, Greve, Michelle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley 01.09.2019; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: above‐ground traits; Antarctic zone; below‐ground traits; Bivariate analysis; climate change; Flowers & plants; frost resistance; Indigenous species; introduced plants; Introduced species; Invasive plants; Invasive species; Leaf area; least squares; Leaves; Measurement methods; Native species; Niches; Nonnative species; Phylogeny; plant height; Plant species; principal component analysis; Principal components analysis; Regression analysis; RESEARCH ARTICLE; soil nutrients; trait differences; trait similarities

Questions Invasive species establish either by possessing traits, or trait trade‐offs similar to native species, suggesting pre‐adaptation to local conditions; or by having a different suite of traits and trait trade‐offs, which allow them to occupy unfilled niches. The trait differences between inv...