Interactive effects of climate change and plant invasion on alpine biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics

A novel interaction between climate warming and plant invasion, previously undescribed, is revealed: competition for pollination with the invasive shrub Calluna vulgaris can reduce sexual reproduction of native plants, an effect potentially exacerbated by climate change. The study also identifies a previously unknown pattern where the impact of C. vulgaris on native plant species richness becomes increasingly facilitative along elevational gradients, depending on invader biomass. Using Tongariro National Park (TNP) as a model, the research combines experimental, observational, and modeling approaches to quantify these interactive effects. It demonstrates that including invasive species density in distribution models significantly reduces predicted native plant distribution under future climate scenarios compared to climate-only models. The findings suggest that human activity may drive discrepancies in invasion success between New Zealand's North and South Islands, rather than climatic or edaphic factors. This study underscores the non-linear, complex outcomes of global change drivers on biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics, emphasizing the need for interactive approaches in conservation management.

Giejsztowt, J. Interactive effects of climate change and plant invasion on alpine biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.17138738