Dataset Information

Climatic Niche Shift during Azolla filiculoides Invasion and Its Potential Distribution under Future Scenarios.

ABSTRACT: In order to prevent future biological invasions, it is crucial to know non-native species distributions. We evaluated the potential global distribution of Azolla filiculoides, a free-floating macrophyte native to the Americas by using species distribution models and niche equivalency tests to analyze the degree of niche overlap between the native and invaded ranges of the species. The models were projected under two future emission scenarios, three global circulation models and two time periods. Our results indicate a possible niche shift between the distribution ranges of the species, indicating that A. filiculoides can adapt to novel environmental conditions derived from climatic differences during the invasion process. Our models also show that the future potential distribution of A. filiculoides will decrease globally, although the species could colonize new vulnerable regions where it is currently absent. We highlight that species occurrence records in the invaded area are necessary to generate accurate models, which will, in turn, improve our ability to predict potential invasion risk areas.

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez-Merino A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6843849 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Climatic Niche Shift during <i>Azolla filiculoides</i> Invasion and Its Potential Distribution under Future Scenarios.

Rodríguez-Merino Argantonio A Fernández-Zamudio Rocío R García-Murillo Pablo P Muñoz Jesús J

Plants (Basel, Switzerland) 20191018 10

In order to prevent future biological invasions, it is crucial to know non-native species distributions. We evaluated the potential global distribution of <i>Azolla filiculoides</i>, a free-floating macrophyte native to the Americas by using species distribution models and niche equivalency tests to analyze the degree of niche overlap between the native and invaded ranges of the species. The models were projected under two future emission scenarios, three global circulation models and two time p ...[more]

PMID: 31635228

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Project description:AimTree invasions are a threat to biodiversity conservation, and although it is hard to predict the future spread of invasive tree species, there are tools available which could allow some estimations. The magnitude of spatial spread (a proxy of invasiveness) can be predicted from species climatic requirement (climatic niche) and can be represented by species distribution models (SDMs). We aimed to assess whether Acacia dealbata conserves its niche in the new environment of south-central Chile, and also, to estimate the invasive stage of the species.LocationSouth-central area of Chile, between the O'Higgins (34°0″0'S) and Aysen Regions (47°0″0'S).MethodsWe used a combination of global, native, and regional data to improve the estimation of the potential distribution of A. dealbata, which has been considered one of the most invasive species of the genus, being registered in at least 34 countries in all the Continents.ResultsOur results show that A. dealbata does not conserve its niche in the study area, invading areas with climatic conditions different from those of the native range. It is also not at equilibrium with the environment. According to the global versus regional SDM comparisons, populations present in south-central Chile present different invasion stages. There are some stable populations, but there are other populations colonizing new areas, occupying unsuitable habitats and some of them are adapting to new climatic conditions. Climatic factors, such as precipitation seasonality, could be acting behind the expansion to new environments, and biotic factors or dispersal limitations could be preventing the species to colonize suitable areas.Main conclusionsThe invasion process of A. dealbata is far from stabilizing, and management options should focus on prevention, avoiding, for example, the introduction of the species to Patagonia where the species has not spread yet. More research is needed to complement our results and enhance the development of effective management strategies.

Dataset Information

Climatic Niche Shift during Azolla filiculoides Invasion and Its Potential Distribution under Future Scenarios.

Publications

Climatic Niche Shift during <i>Azolla filiculoides</i> Invasion and Its Potential Distribution under Future Scenarios.

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