Risk of plant invasions and management planning in the Tibetan Plateau, China

Abstract

AbstractAimsMountain environments have high biodiversity and face an accelerating plant invasion risk. Given the enormous ecological and economic value of these ecosystems, there is an urgent need to detect and rapidly respond to invasive species risk. Here, the Tibetan Plateau (TP) in China was selected to examine distribution patterns of invasive alien plants (IAPs) and propose management strategies.LocationThe Tibetan Plateau in China.MethodsBased on native and non‐native occurrences of 123 IAPs alongside environmental variables, we assembled species distribution models and the MIGCLIM model to simulate suitable growth and dispersal areas under current climatic conditions. All IAPs were classified based on the predicted suitable area size, occurrence number and harm level to propose various management strategies.ResultsThere was a significant separation between the climate niches of most IAPs and the climatic conditions of the TP, meaning the areas suitable for most IAPs were limited to low latitudes and elevations. These areas also have further dispersal risks and risks for new IAPs being introduced. Among 123 IAPs, 23 species had above‐average occurrences and suitable distribution areas; in the remaining 100 occurrences and distributions, at least one IAP was less than the average.Main ConclusionsSuitable areas for IAPs in the TP are currently limited to low‐elevation regions, which are also at a higher risk of further expansion. Management measures should focus on potential high‐risk areas and diffusion pathways where IAPs can spread further. Efforts should prevent species that have not been established but have large potential suitable areas from being introduced, eradicate established IAPs with limited suitable areas, and control established IAPs. These results can provide a reference for developing more efficient and cost‐effective management strategies.