Skip to main content
Dryad

Data from: Niche shifts over spread of a biological invasion: unveiling the role of changing habitat preference and density-dependence

Cardador, Laura1; Núñez-Tobajas, Zulema2; Senar, Juan Carlos3; Rodríguez-Pastor, Ruth4; Carrillo-Ortiz, José G.3

Published Apr 10, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jdfn2z3g7

Data files

Apr 10, 2026 version files 5.43 MB

Click names to download individual files

Abstract

Aim: Anticipating the ultimate fraction of a landscape that might be susceptible to invasion is challenging as several species are able to expand the range of environmental conditions used over invasion. Despite its relevance, the more proximate processes underlying observed shifts are not sufficiently understood. Habitat selection theory predicts that as population density increases, individuals start using sub-optimal resources to compensate for the limitation of the preferred ones. However, niche shifts might also occur as a result of changes in habitat preferences over time. Here we tested these alternative hypotheses by investigating nesting resource use and selection over a biological invasion and the relative effect of density dependence on such patterns.

Location: Barcelona, Spain.

Methods: We take advantage of a large dataset recording the occurrence of the invasive Monk Parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus, in Barcelona in the period 1975–2015. We apply generalized linear models to analyse changes in nesting habitat preferences and their interactive effect with conspecific presence.   

Results: Temporal changes in nesting habitat use occurred. Palm species were the most commonly used nesting substrate since the beginning of the invasion, but the diversity and frequency of use of other nesting substrates increased over time. Changes in nesting substrate use were consistent with a change in habitat preferences, that mostly involved the less-frequently used resources. Although a general role of conspecific aggregation on occupation patterns was found, it was mostly additive. That is, shifts in nesting substrate did not structure in relation to conspecific distribution.

Conclusions: Shifts in nesting resource selection can occur during the spread stage of biological invasions, probably related to innovation and learning, rather than to optimal habitat selection. These shifts present a significant challenge for forecasting efforts and management. However, changes do not happen rapidly over time, highlighting that there is a management opportunity window before significant shifts occur.