Nutrient enrichment undermines invasion resistance to Spartina alterniflora in a saltmarsh: Insights from modern coexistence theory
Data files
Sep 20, 2023 version files 22.36 KB
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Qiu_et_al_230814.xlsx
19.94 KB
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README.md
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Abstract
- The ability of native communities to maintain invasion resistance in the face of environmental changes is crucial for biodiversity conservation. However, previous studies have primarily focused on the inhibitive effects experienced by invaders, providing limited insights into the ultimate outcome of resistance.
- In this study, we integrated modern coexistence theory into biotic resistance research to investigate the impact of nutrient enrichment on the resistance of Phragmites australis marsh to Spartina alterniflora invasion in the Yangtze estuary saltmarshes of China.
- Our results demonstrated that under non-enriched conditions, successful invasion resistance was facilitated by stable coexistence between native and invasive species in the field. This prediction of invasion resistance aligned with the distribution dynamics of the two species in the Yangtze estuary saltmarshes over the past two decades. However, nutrient enrichment was likely to lead to a fundamental shift in their coexistence and ultimately, the failure of resistance.
- Synthesis and applications. Integrating modern coexistence theory into biotic resistance studies advances the assessment of invasion resistance by shifting from quantifying relative strength to predicting explicit resistance outcomes. Ecosystem managers can draw explicit conclusions about the potential establishment and impact of invaders by analyzing observational or experimental data within the framework of modern coexistence theory. This information aids in identifying the most efficient strategies for addressing invasive species.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.kprr4xhb0
This dataset includes three working tables:
- Population growth: the data used to calculate the population growth rate of the two species under different nutrient conditions.
- Soil abiotic factors: the data of soil characteristics of the different communities.
- Functional traits: Three functional traits of the two species in their respective monocultures under different nutrient conditions.
The following show the descriptions of the variables and their values:
| Variable | Description of the variable | Values | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| type | type of the communities | P. a: Phragmites australis monocultures; P. a-D: mixed stands dominated by Phragmites australis with scattered Spartina alterniflora; P. a & S. a: mixed stands codominated by Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora; S. a-D: mixed stands dominated by Spartina alterniflora with scattered Phragmites australis; S. a: Spartina alterniflora monocultures | |
| species | the target species | P. a: Phragmites australisS. a: Spartina alterniflora | |
| density_2013 | density of the target species in the quadrat in 2013 | ||
| ratio | relative frequency of the target species in the quadrat | ||
| initial_density_PA | density of Phragmites australis in the quadrat in 2012 when the experiment started | ||
| initial_density_SA | density of Spartina alterniflora in the quadrat in 2012 when the experiment started | ||
| per_capita_growth | per capita growth of the target species | ||
| Salinity | salinity of the soil | g/kg | |
| pH | pH of the soil | ||
| NH4 | ammonium nitrogen content in the soil | mg/kg | |
| NO3 | nitrate nitrogen content in the soil | mg/kg | |
| TN | total nitrogen content in the soil | g/kg | |
| TC | total carbon content in the soil | g/kg | |
| clay% | proportion of clay in the soil | % | |
| silt% | proportion of silt in the soil | % | |
| sand% | proportion of sand in the soil | % | |
| P | availiable phosphorous content in the soil | mg/kg | |
| Leaf_N | leaf nitrogen content | mg/g | |
| Height | height of the ramet | cm | |
| SLA | specific leaf area | m2/g |