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Phylogenetically poor plant communities receive more alien species, which more easily coexist with natives.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21508612     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Abstract Alien species can be a major threat to ecological communities, but we do not know why some community types allow the entry of many more alien species than do others. Here, for the first time, we suggest that evolutionary diversity inherent to the constituent species of a community may determine its present receptiveness to alien species. Using recent large databases from observational studies, we find robust evidence that assemblage of plant community types from few phylogenetic lineages (in plots without aliens) corresponds to higher receptiveness to aliens. Establishment of aliens in phylogenetically poor communities corresponds to increased phylogenetic dispersion of recipient communities and to coexistence with rather than replacement of natives. This coexistence between natives and distantly related aliens in recipient communities of low phylogenetic dispersion may reflect patterns of trait assembly. In communities without aliens, low phylogenetic dispersion corresponds to increased dispersion of most traits, and establishment of aliens corresponds to increased trait concentration. We conclude that if quantified across the tree of life, high biodiversity correlates with decreasing receptiveness to aliens. Low phylogenetic biodiversity, in contrast, facilitates coexistence between natives and aliens even if they share similar trait states.
Authors:
Pille Gerhold; Meelis Pärtel; Oliver Tackenberg; Stephan M Hennekens; Igor Bartish; Joop H J Schaminée; Alexander J F Fergus; Wim A Ozinga; Andreas Prinzing
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The American naturalist     Volume:  177     ISSN:  1537-5323     ISO Abbreviation:  Am. Nat.     Publication Date:  2011 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-04-21     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2984688R     Medline TA:  Am Nat     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  668-80     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Lai 40, 51005 Tartu, Estonia.
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