Intraspecific trait variation and reversals of trait strategies across key climate gradients in native Hawaiian plants and non-native invaders.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Displacement of native plant species by non-native invaders may result from differences in their carbon economy, yet little is known regarding how variation in leaf traits influences native-invader dynamics across climate gradients. In Hawaii, one of the most heavily invaded biodiversity hotspots in the world, strong spatial variation in climate results from the complex topography, which underlies variation in traits that probably drives shifts in species interactions.

Methods

Using one of the most comprehensive trait data sets for Hawaii to date (91 species and four islands), we determined the extent and sources of variation (climate, species and species origin) in leaf traits, and used mixed models to examine differences between natives and non-native i

SUBMITTER: Westerband AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7988522 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature