The global loss of floristic uniqueness

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27603-y
• Publication Date: 2021-12-15T11:05:44Z
• Authors: Qiang Yang; Patrick Weigelt; Trevor S. Fristoe; Zhijie Zhang; Holger Kreft; Anke Stein; Hanno Seebens; Wayne Dawson; Franz Essl; Christian König; Bernd Lenzner; Jan Pergl; Robin Pouteau; Petr Pyšek; Marten Winter; Aleksandr L. Ebel; Nicol Fuentes; Eduardo L. H. Giehl; John Kartesz; Pavel Krestov; Toomas Kukk; Misako Nishino; Andrey Kupriyanov; Jose Luis Villaseñor; Jan J. Wieringa; Abida Zeddam; Elena Zykova; Mark van Kleunen
• Keywords: Floristics

Regional species assemblages have been shaped by colonization, speciation and extinction over millions of years. Humans altered biogeography introducing to new ranges. However, an analysis how strongly naturalized plant (i.e. alien plants that established self-sustaining populations) affect the taxonomic phylogenetic uniqueness regional floras globally is still missing. Here, we present such with data from native in 658 regions around world. We find strong floristic homogenization overall, natural decline similarity increasing geographic distance weakened species. Floristic increases climatic similarity, which emphasizes importance climate matching naturalization. Moreover, greater between current or past administrative relationships, indicating being part same country as well historical colonial ties facilitate exchange, most likely due more intensive trade transport regions. Our findings show naturalization threatens globally. Unless effective biosecurity measures are implemented, it ongoing globalization, even distant will lose their uniqueness.