Adaptive constraints at the range edge of a widespread and expanding invasive plant.

ABSTRACT: Identifying the factors that facilitate and limit invasive species' range expansion has both practical and theoretical importance, especially at the range edges. Here, we used reciprocal common garden experiments spanning the North/South and East/West range that include the North American core, intermediate and range edges of the globally invasive plant, Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) to investigate the interplay of climate, biotic interactions (i.e. competition) and patterns of adaptation. Our results suggest that the rapid range expansion of Johnsongrass into diverse environments across wide geographies occurred largely without local adaptation, but that further range expansion may be restricted by a fitness trade-off that limits population growth at the range edge. Interestingl

SUBMITTER: Fletcher RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10651072 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature