Strong human association with plant invasion success for Trifolium introductions to New Zealand.

ABSTRACT: It has proven difficult, when focused only on biological determinants, to explain why some plant species become naturalized in or invade new locations, whereas others fail. We analyzed the invasion of Trifolium (true clover) species into New Zealand, assessing a range of human, biogeographic, and biological influences at three key invasion stages: introduction, naturalization, and spread. We used sparse principal component analysis (SPCA) to define suites of related attributes and aggregated boosted trees to model relationships with invasion outcomes. Human and biogeographic attributes were strongly associated with success at all stages. Whereas biogeographic attributes, notably large native range, were consistently associated with success, different human factors appeared to favor success

SUBMITTER: Gravuer K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2359821 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature