Reconsidering interspecific co-occurrence of native and invasive plants in an anthropogenic riparian ecosystem
Abstract
Invasive non-native plants are considered mostly though negative interactions, but are increasingly recognized as potential contributors to ecosystem functioning. By modifying microhabitats, resource availability and species interactions, non-natives plants may reshape and maintain the living conditions of native plant communities. We conducted an observational field study to quantify the interspecific relationships of coexistence between riparian herbaceous plants and three vegetation types: Fallopia x bohemica (invasive non-native), Rubus caesius (invasive native), and an uninvaded riparian forest (control). Seasonal monitoring of species richness was carried out over one year, combined with measurements of vegetation cover rate and functional traits relating to growth, flowering, and seed production in spring. Fallopia patches showed similar species richness, vegetation cover and functional traits compared to uninvaded areas in spring. In contrast, Rubus was associated with a lower number of co-occurring species and a reduction of growth and reproduction. Our findings demonstrate that Fallopia was associated with comparable plant richness and measured spring trait values under the uninvaded areas, and to a greater extent than Rubus. Rather than viewing non-native plants solely as threats, our example highlights the importance of adopting a more nuanced, context-dependent perspective that considers their potential to help maintain biodiversity in ecosystems subject to anthropogenic alterations.
Related
- Frequency of Occurrence and Ingested Biomass of Different Prey of the Barn Owl Tyto alba in an Island Ecosystem
- Reconsidering the generic status of Dolichonobia Meyer, 1974 with the description of a new species of Mesobryobia Wainstein, 1956 (Prostigmata, Tetranychidae) and a diagnostic key to world species
- Morphological and molecular characterization of interspecific hybrid pistachio rootstocks
- Interspecific variation in nectar and pollen reward among plant species commonly planted to support pollinators
- Reconsidering the Use of Dimethyl Sulfoxide for Xenobiotic-Gut Microbiota Interaction Studies
BibTeX
@misc{forge2026reconsidering,
title = {{Reconsidering interspecific co-occurrence of native and invasive plants in an anthropogenic riparian ecosystem}},
author = {Irene De La Forge and Amélie A.M. Cantarel and Christelle Boisselet and Emma Silvestre and Marylise Cottet and Florence PIOLA},
howpublished = {EcoEvoRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.32942/x27706},
url = {https://ecoevorxiv.org/repository/view/15244/},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Reconsidering interspecific co-occurrence of native and invasive plants in an anthropogenic riparian ecosystem
AU - Irene De La Forge
AU - Amélie A.M. Cantarel
AU - Christelle Boisselet
AU - Emma Silvestre
AU - Marylise Cottet
AU - Florence PIOLA
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/28
PB - EcoEvoRxiv
DO - 10.32942/x27706
UR - https://ecoevorxiv.org/repository/view/15244/
AB - Invasive non-native plants are considered mostly though negative interactions, but are increasingly recognized as potential contributors to ecosystem functioning. By modifying microhabitats, resource availability and species interactions, non-natives plants may reshape and maintain the living conditions of native plant communities. We conducted an observational field study to quantify the interspecific relationships of coexistence between riparian herbaceous plants and three vegetation types: Fallopia x bohemica (invasive non-native), Rubus caesius (invasive native), and an uninvaded riparian forest (control). Seasonal monitoring of species richness was carried out over one year, combined with measurements of vegetation cover rate and functional traits relating to growth, flowering, and seed production in spring. Fallopia patches showed similar species richness, vegetation cover and functional traits compared to uninvaded areas in spring. In contrast, Rubus was associated with a lower number of co-occurring species and a reduction of growth and reproduction. Our findings demonstrate that Fallopia was associated with comparable plant richness and measured spring trait values under the uninvaded areas, and to a greater extent than Rubus. Rather than viewing non-native plants solely as threats, our example highlights the importance of adopting a more nuanced, context-dependent perspective that considers their potential to help maintain biodiversity in ecosystems subject to anthropogenic alterations.
ER -