Relationship between plant diversity and community stability and invasibility in the heterogeneous landscape of urban habitats undergoing Solidago canadensis invasion

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Solidago canadensis has become an invasive species in Chinese cities. Little progress has been made in understanding the relationship between the plant taxonomic diversity and community stability and invasibility of local plant communities during S. canadensis invasion, especially in heterogeneous landscapes. Progress in understanding the relationship between the key functional traits of S. canadensis and its invasion intensity and competitive advantage, especially in heterogeneous landscapes, is also currently limited. Aims We evaluated the relationship between the key functional traits of Solidago canadensis and its invasion intensity in urban ecosystems in eastern China, while taking into consideration the competitive advantages that these traits may confer. Additionally, we quantified the relationship between plant taxonomic diversity and community stability and invasibility by S. canadensis. Methods This study was conducted using cross-site comparisons between vegetation with S. canadensis invasion and those without S. canadensis invasion in nine types of urban ecosystems (cultural and educational research site, farmland wasteland, scenic garden area, industrial district, municipal land, residential area, roadside, urban green space, and wetland waterfront) in eastern China. Results The stem diameter at ground level, leaf shape index, and leaf chlorophyll concentration of S. canadensis were most highly correlated with its invasion intensity and competitive advantage. Community stability was positively correlated with plant diversity and evenness. Both the community invasibility and invasion intensity of S. canadensis were negatively correlated with the number of plant species of the local flora. Community invasibility was mainly influenced by the number of plant species of the local flora. Conclusions The invasion intensity and competitive advantage of S. canadensis may be largely determined by its stem diameter at ground level, leaf shape index, and leaf chlorophyll concentration. Community stability may be largely determined by the plant diversity and evenness (especially evenness) of the local flora. Community invasibility may be largely determined by the number of plant species of the local flora.