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Widespread homogenization of plant communities in the Anthropocene

Author

Listed:
  • Barnabas H. Daru

    (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
    Harvard University Herbaria)

  • T. Jonathan Davies

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Charles G. Willis

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Emily K. Meineke

    (University of California)

  • Argo Ronk

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Martin Zobel

    (University of Tartu)

  • Meelis Pärtel

    (University of Tartu)

  • Alexandre Antonelli

    (Harvard University Herbaria
    University of Gothenburg and Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences
    University of Oxford
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)

  • Charles C. Davis

    (Harvard University Herbaria)

Abstract

Native biodiversity decline and non-native species spread are major features of the Anthropocene. Both processes can drive biotic homogenization by reducing trait and phylogenetic differences in species assemblages between regions, thus diminishing the regional distinctiveness of biotas and likely have negative impacts on key ecosystem functions. However, a global assessment of this phenomenon is lacking. Here, using a dataset of >200,000 plant species, we demonstrate widespread and temporal decreases in species and phylogenetic turnover across grain sizes and spatial extents. The extent of homogenization within major biomes is pronounced and is overwhelmingly explained by non-native species naturalizations. Asia and North America are major sources of non-native species; however, the species they export tend to be phylogenetically close to recipient floras. Australia, the Pacific and Europe, in contrast, contribute fewer species to the global pool of non-natives, but represent a disproportionate amount of phylogenetic diversity. The timeline of most naturalisations coincides with widespread human migration within the last ~500 years, and demonstrates the profound influence humans exert on regional biotas beyond changes in species richness.

Suggested Citation

  • Barnabas H. Daru & T. Jonathan Davies & Charles G. Willis & Emily K. Meineke & Argo Ronk & Martin Zobel & Meelis Pärtel & Alexandre Antonelli & Charles C. Davis, 2021. "Widespread homogenization of plant communities in the Anthropocene," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-27186-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27186-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    1. Ziheng Peng & Xun Qian & Yu Liu & Xiaomeng Li & Hang Gao & Yining An & Jiejun Qi & Lan Jiang & Yiran Zhang & Shi Chen & Haibo Pan & Beibei Chen & Chunling Liang & Marcel G. A. Heijden & Gehong Wei & S, 2024. "Land conversion to agriculture induces taxonomic homogenization of soil microbial communities globally," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Shu-ya Fan & Qiang Yang & Shao-peng Li & Trevor S. Fristoe & Marc W. Cadotte & Franz Essl & Holger Kreft & Jan Pergl & Petr Pyšek & Patrick Weigelt & John Kartesz & Misako Nishino & Jan J. Wieringa & , 2023. "A latitudinal gradient in Darwin’s naturalization conundrum at the global scale for flowering plants," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

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