Evaluating Ecological Strategies of non-native Plants Inhabiting in a Riparian semi-natural Ecosystem Using Grime's CSR Scheme

Abstract

Ecological strategies, represented by sorts of functional traits, of non-native plants may play critical roles in their successful settlements. This study investigated functional strategies of native and non-native alien plant species inhabiting in a riparian semi-natural ecosystem, especially utilizing Grime's CSR scheme. Regardless of being native or non-native, Plant species were positioned R- and S- biased on the ternary functional space, which indicated some extents of environmental filtering or functional convergence and therefore the range of functional traits both native and non-native plants can utilize may be restricted in the studied area. However, functional divergence also existed as strategies of non-native plants were functionally distinct from native residents, with non-natives more R-selected and less S- selected. C scores were similar between native and non-natives. The R, S scores seemed associated with soil nitrogen availability in the area.