Biodiv Sci ›› 2024, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (11): 24175.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2024175  cstr: 32101.14.biods.2024175

• Special Feature: Biological Invasion • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Invasive plant species lead to a more clustered community phylogenetic structure: An analysis of herbaceous plants in Guangxi’s National Nature Reserves

Xianglin Yang1,2, Caiyun Zhao1*, Junsheng Li3, Fangfang Chong1,4, Wenjin Li3   

  1. 1 Institue of Ecology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China

    2 College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China

    3 Command Center for Comprehensive Survey of Natural Resources, China Geological Survey Bureau, Beijing 100055, China

    4 College of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China

  • Received:2024-05-09 Revised:2024-07-17 Online:2024-11-20 Published:2024-08-01
  • Contact: Caiyun Zhao

Abstract:


Aims:Invasive alien plants, particularly herbaceous species, posed a threat to the native community structure and ecosystem functions of nature reserves. This study aims to investigate the influence of invasive alien herbs on the phylogenetic structure of plant communities across 13 national nature reserves in Guangxi.

Methods: A total of 1,046 plots were surveyed for herbaceous plants in 13 national nature reserves. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using species data and nucleotide sequences, including the rbcL, matK, and ITS obtained from GenBank. The structural composition of herb communities was assessed using standardized effect sizes of mean phylogenetic distance and mean nearest-taxon distance (SES.MPD and SES.MNTD). R software was used to visualize the phylogenetic changes in herb communities following the naturalization of invasive alien herbs.

Results: (1) Forty-seven species of invasive alien herb plants (from 38 genera and 15 families) were recorded in 13 national nature reserves. Thirty-two (68.1%) of these species were classified as serious and malignant invasive species, predominantly comprising annual Asteraceae herbs originating from the Americas. Each national nature reserve were affected by invasive alien herbs, with the highest number of species found in Damingshan National Nature Reserve (24 species) and the lowest number found in Yuanbaoshan National Nature Reserve (5 species). (2) In eight (61.5%) national nature reserves, the introduction of invasive alien herbs consistently led to reduced phylogenetic diversity at two phylogenetic levels, regardless of whether these communities were initially clustered or overdispersed. This reduction indicated increased phylogenetic clustering among herb communities.

Conclusion: Compared to communities composed solely of native species, the inclusion of invasive alien species leads to a more clustered phylogenetic structure. We examined the impacts of alien invasion on biodiversity from a phylogenetic perspective, provides a theoretical foundation for future prevention and management of invasive alien plants in nature reserves.


Key words: national nature reserves, herbaceous species, community phylogenetic structure, alien invasion effect