Understanding plant invasions: a global scale meta-analysis
PhD ceremony: Mr. A. Ordoñez Gloria, 16.15 uur, Aula Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Dissertation: Understanding plant invasions: a global scale meta-analysis
Promotor(s): prof. H. Olff
Faculty: Mathematics and Natural Sciences
The globalization of human activities has resulted in the intentional and un-intentional movement of species to areas beyond their natural range; ultimately causing biotic homogenization and irreversible changes to ecosystems. The dissertation of Alejandro Ordoñez Gloria addresses the invasiveness and invasibility question by exploring global patters of trait similarity between co-occurring alien and native plants. To do this, two questions were asked: Can trait similarity between aliens and natives explain aliens success? And are the observed similarity patterns a product of evolution?
Aliens were found to display higher leaf traits, lower canopy height and smaller seeds. The magnitude of trait differences between co-occurring aliens and natives remained the same along climatic edaphic and human disturbance gradients. These differences showed a strong dependence to the phylogenetic relation between aliens and the native community; with phylogenetically close co-occurring alien and native plants being more phenotypically similar than expected by chance. These differences in traits were the result of aliens conserving their traits once introduced to a new area; something we suggest emerges from core ecological, evolutionary physiological and genetic constraints. The work of Ordoñez Gloria is a contribution to the long lasting quest for understanding the causes and mechanisms behind the success of invasive species. Lastly, it is shown how species, community and evolutionary patterns must be accounted together to determine invasion risk.
Last modified: | 13 March 2020 01.12 a.m. |
More news
-
17 July 2024
Veni-grants for ten researchers in Groningen
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded a Veni grant of up to €320,000 each to ten researchers of the University of Groningen and the UMCG. The Veni grants are designed for outstanding researchers who have recently gained a PhD.
-
15 July 2024
Funding for RUG researchers from National Growth Fund programme Circular Plastics NL
For research on making plastics circular, Professors Patrizio Raffa and Katja Loos together receive about 1.2 million euros from the National Growth Fund programme Circular Plastics NL.
-
09 July 2024
NWO Open Technology funding for improving quality 3D printing technology
Dr. Liangliang Cheng receives a NWO OPT grant of EUR 950,000 for research on safer application of metals in 3D printing technology.