Project Detail

Species traits, local differentiation and phenotypic plasticity as determinants of invasion success in congeneric plants

Name:	Species traits, local differentiation and phenotypic plasticity as determinants of invasion success in congeneric plants
Researchers:	Skálová Hana (researcher)
Provider:	GA ČR
Realization from:	2007
Realization to:	2011
Summary:	Understanding the processes that facilitate the spread of alien plants is a key priority in the study and management of biological invasions. The project is to focus on the role of species traits, phenotypic plasticity and local differentiation in determining the invasion success of alien plants. The investigation will be carried out using four congeneric annual species with similar life-history, sharing similar habitats, but differing in their invasion status: highly invasive Impatiens glandulifera, less invasive I. parviflora, native I. noli-tangere, and I. capensis, potentially invasive to the Czech Republic. These species provide an excellent experimental model due to reducing common biases associated with phylogeny and differing habitats. The study will focus on seed ecology and plant performance under various levels of environmental factors (e.g. temperature, shade, soil moisture and nutrient level). To assess the ability to select the appropriate genotypes, a four-year artificial selection to particular response to simulated canopy shade will be carried out.