Consistent Grime’s CSR Strategy of Daisy Fleabane Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. despite Its High Morphological Variability—A Case Study from Zagreb and Medvednica Mt., Croatia

Damjana Levačić,Sven D Jelaska

doi:10.3390/d14010045

Abstract

Alongside the direct destruction of natural habitats and changes in land use, invasive species are considered one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity. Daisy fleabane Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. is among the most widespread invasive plants in Croatia. Invasions of E. annuus may be aided by morphological variability, which this study investigates. The variability of life traits (stem height, fresh and dry leaf mass, length, width and leaf area, specific leaf area, and leaf dry matter content) was examined among 18 locations throughout Zagreb and Medvednica Mt. Overall, 87 plant specimens and 435 leaves were measured and analysed using univariate and multivariate statistics. Viable populations were recorded in diverse habitat types, mostly with marked human impact. We determined Grime’s CR plant life strategies for all, except for two localities with C/CR plant strategies. Two populations with a more pronounced competitive strategy had high leaf dry matter content, with smaller leaves and medium height stems. Significant differences between the localities were found, with the specific leaf area (SLA) and plant height being the most diverse. Despite its high morphological variability, daisy fleabane had a consistent CSR strategy, which likely enables its widespread invasions across variable habitats.

Highlights

Urban and industrial areas, along with intensively used agricultural land, suffer strong anthropogenic impacts and are highly exposed to colonization by invasive alien species (IASs) [1,2,3,4]
The second-highest average leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and the lowest average specific leaf area (SLA) values were recorded at site T4
The highest mean SLA and lowest LDMC were recorded for locality T8

Summary

Introduction

Along with intensively used agricultural land, suffer strong anthropogenic impacts and are highly exposed to colonization by invasive alien species (IASs) [1,2,3,4]. They threaten ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity, as well as the economy and human health [5,6]. Common characteristics of IASs are hyperproduction and pronounced expansion of diaspores, long-lived seeds, wide ecological amplitude, pronounced phenotypic plasticity, and short and fast life cycles [7]. A universal explanation for the invasion of individual alien plants has been elusive [10]

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