Naturalized species drive functional trait shifts in plant communities

Authors: GARBOWSKI, MAGDA - University Of Wyoming; LAUGHLIN, DANIEL - University Of Wyoming; Blumenthal, Dana; SOFAER, HELEN - Us Geological Survey (USGS); BARNETT, DAVID - National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON); BEAURY, EVELYN - Princeton University; CORBIN, JEFFREY - Union College; NEBHUT, ANDREA - Stanford University; PETRI, LAIS - University Of Michigan; VILA, MONTSERRAT - University Of Seville; BUONIAUTO, DANIEL - University Of Massachusetts; DUKES, JEFFREY - Carnegie Institute - Stanford; PEARSE, IAN - Us Geological Survey (USGS)

Submitted to: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2024
Publication Date: 9/19/2024
Citation: Garbowski, M., Laughlin, D.C., Blumenthal, D.M., Sofaer, H.R., Barnett, D.T., Beaury, E.M., Corbin, J.C., Nebhut, A.N., Petri, L., Vila, M., Buoniauto, D., Dukes, J., Pearse, I. 2024. Naturalized species drive functional trait shifts in plant communities. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). 121(40). Article e2403120121. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2403120121.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2403120121

Interpretive Summary: Our current understanding of how traits of introduced plant species influence the functional composition of recipient plant communities is based on studies of individual sites and species. Working with data from over 80,000 plots from across the continental United States, we show that as the abundance of introduced species increases, communities become more acquisitive (traits that allow rapid resource capture and use) above and belowground, shorter, and more shallowly rooted with thinner roots. These results are remarkably consistent across grasslands, deserts, and forests. Our results demonstrate that the establishment and spread of introduced species leads to predictable and consistent changes in the functional composition of plant communities, with potential to alter ecosystem functions. These patterns will help scientists and land managers better predict and manage for the impacts of introduced plants in a wide array of ecosystems.

Technical Abstract: The establishment and proliferation of introduced plant species can alter ecosystem functions such as nutrient, carbon, and water cycling, primary production, and decomposition. Plant traits drive many of these ecosystem functions and native and introduced plant species often differ in traits related to dominant axes of functional trait variation. However, our current understanding of how traits of introduced species influence the functional composition of recipient communities is based on studies of individual sites and species. Working with data from over 80,000 plots from across the continental United States, we show that as the abundance of introduced species increases, communities become more acquisitive above and belowground, shorter, and more shallowly rooted with thinner roots and high specific root length. Furthermore, where native and introduced species coexist, introduced species on average exhibit more acquisitive aboveground traits, are shorter, are more shallowly rooted and have higher specific root length. These results are remarkably consistent across grasslands, deserts, and forest biomes. Our results demonstrate that the establishment and spread of introduced species leads to predictable and consistent changes in the functional composition of plant communities, with potential to alter ecosystem functions.