Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Preprints
DOI 10.1101/2025.10.29.685360
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Global disruption of plant biogeography by non-native species
Author Cai, L.; Weigelt, P.; Kreft, H.; Bruelheide, H.; Davis, A.J.S.; Dawson, W.; Essl, F.; van Kleunen, M.; Kühn, I. ORCID logo ; Lenzner, B.; Pergl, J.; Pyšek, P.; Pelser, P.B.; Wieringa, J.J.; Winter, M.
Source Titel bioRxiv
Year 2025
Department BZF; iDiv
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Abstract Biogeographical regions reflect differences in biotic composition resulting from long-term isolation and biogeographical processes, but how human-mediated introductions of non-native species have altered these biogeographical patterns remains unclear. Using global distribution data of 279,441 native and 10,067 non-native seed plant species, we analyzed the impact of species introductions on global organization of biogeographical regions. We show that species introductions have disrupted plant biogeography, causing the loss of distinct floristic realms and subrealms. Due to the impact of non-native species, geographic proximity and dispersal barriers are less important— particularly as trade-facilitated species exchange drives floristic homogenization—while environmental factors remain critical in structuring floristic regions. Our findings reveal that plant introductions erode biogeographical distinctness and highlight the urgent need for coordinated action to protect native biotas.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=31523
Cai, L., Weigelt, P., Kreft, H., Bruelheide, H., Davis, A.J.S., Dawson, W., Essl, F., van Kleunen, M., Kühn, I., Lenzner, B., Pergl, J., Pyšek, P., Pelser, P.B., Wieringa, J.J., Winter, M. (2025):
Global disruption of plant biogeography by non-native species
bioRxiv 10.1101/2025.10.29.685360