Trait-environment interactions mediate the encroachment of an exotic tree in coastal wetland transition zones

doi:10.1093/jpe/rtaf179

J Plant Ecol ›› Advance articles DOI:10.1093/jpe/rtaf179

• Research Article •

Trait-environment interactions mediate the encroachment of an exotic tree in coastal wetland transition zones

Dan Peng^1,2, Haichao Zhou^1*, Steven C. Pennings³ , Yihui Zhang^2*

¹College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China

²Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China

3Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston TX 77204, USA

*Corresponding author. E-mail: zyh@xmu.edu.cn (Y.Z.), zhouhc@szu.edu.cn (H.Z.)

Received:2025-07-01 Accepted:2025-10-04 Online:2025-10-24 Published:2025-10-24
Supported by:
We thank Jiayu Wang, Xincong Chen, and Lin Li for their help in the field and greenhouse. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant nos. 32025026, 31971500) and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (no. 2023M732356).

Abstract

Abstract: Mangrove forests are characterized by highly stressful conditions and are thought to be resistant to plant invasions (the ‘mangrove invasion resistance paradigm’). Nevertheless, the exotic mangrove Sonneratia apetala is encroaching into the native shrubby mangroves and invasive salt marshes (Spartina alterniflora) in southern China, forming a widespread marsh-mangrove ecotone. The mechanisms driving the rapid invasion of S. apetala remain unknown. Using a trait-based approach, we compared the trait-environment interactions between invasive S. apetala and native Avicennia marina through field transplant experiments and greenhouse shading trials. We found (1) S. apetala exhibited 5–10 times higher relative growth rate than A. marina across light gradients; (2) S. apetala achieved over 50% establishment in native shrubby mangrove stands and S. alterniflora meadows vs. zero for A. marina, while establishment of both species was zero in closed-canopy tree stands; (3) A trait syndrome combining with fast growth capacity, acquisitive leaf traits (higher photosynthetic rate and specific leaf area, and shorter leaf lifespan), and shoot-biased biomass allocation linked light availability to establishment of S. apetala, whereas A. marina’s conservative traits (higher leaf dry mass content and longer leaf lifespan) and root-biased biomass allocation decoupled from growth and establishment. S. apetala’s trait syndrome, which maximizes whole-plant growth in low-light shrubby mangrove and S. alterniflora meadow habitats, challenges the standard mangrove invasion resistance paradigm. Furthermore, multi-dimensional trait-environment-performance interactions may underlie the success of highly invasive species worldwide. Our results suggest that management priorities should be removing S. apetala seedlings before they reach escape height and protecting intact native mangrove vegetation.

Key words: Tree invasion, ecotone, Sonneratia apetala, seedling establishment, light availability, trait-environment interaction, plant strategies

摘要：
红树林生长分布在高胁迫的生境中，传统观念认为其可以抵御植物入侵(即“红树林入侵抵抗范式”)。然而，外来红树植物无瓣海桑(Sonneratia apetala)正在不断侵占中国南方本土灌丛红树林和互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)丛，形成广布的“盐沼-红树林”交错带。目前，驱动无瓣海桑快速入侵的机制尚不明确。本研究基于功能性状的方法，通过同时开展野外移植和温室遮光模拟实验，对比分析了入侵种无瓣海桑与本土种白骨壤(Avicennia marina)的性状-环境互作关系。研究发现：(1)沿不同光照梯度，无瓣海桑的相对生长速率比白骨壤高5–10倍；(2)无瓣海桑在本土灌丛红树林和互花米草丛生境中的建植率超过50%，而白骨壤的建植率为0；两者在郁闭林下生境的建植率均为0；(3)无瓣海桑的性状综合征——快速生长能力、获取型叶性状(光合速率高、比叶面积大、叶片寿命短)以及偏向地上部分(茎干)的生物量分配策略，该性状综合征将光可利用性与幼苗建植过程紧密关联；与此相反，白骨壤的保守型叶性状(叶干物质含量高、叶片寿命长)及偏向地下部分(根系)的生物量分配策略，则使其生长与建植过程解耦。无瓣海桑的性状综合征使其在低光生境(灌丛红树林和互花米草丛)中实现整株生长最大化，这对传统的“红树林入侵抵抗范式”构成了挑战。此外，多维度的“性状-环境-生长表现”互作关系，可能是全球范围内强入侵性物种成功入侵的共同机制。研究结果表明，针对该案例，治理的重点是在无瓣海桑幼苗达到“逃逸高度”前将其清除，并保护原生红树林植被的完整性。

关键词: 木本入侵, 生态交错带, 无瓣海桑, 幼苗建植, 光可利用性, 性状-环境互作, 植物策略

Dan Peng, Haichao Zhou, Steven C Pennings, Yihui Zhang. Trait-environment interactions mediate the encroachment of an exotic tree in coastal wetland transition zones[J]. J Plant Ecol, DOI: 10.1093/jpe/rtaf179.

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Trait-environment interactions mediate the encroachment of an exotic tree in coastal wetland transition zones

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