Using native and invasive populations as surrogate 'species' to predict the potential for native and invasive populations to shift their range

摘要: Background: The wetland grass, Phalaris arundinacea, is invasive in North America but native to Europe. Aim: Compare experimentally how a species and an may respond changing environmental conditions. Methods: Sample both populations from near the centre margin of their ranges. Native, centre: Czech Republic; native, range margin: Mediterranean France; invasive, Vermont; Carolina. Use 18 genotypes P. arundinacea. Plant them into four common gardens along latitudinal gradient eastern USA (Vermont, Carolina, Georgia, Florida). Measure mean phenotypic traits, plasticity, genetic variances each garden. Results: plants grew best Carolina garden, where are larger, taller, produce more tillers than counterparts. But these differences did not appear other gardens. In addition, although we predicted higher plasticity for genotypes, found only modest between genotypes. Populations growing close presumed ideal conditions (as measured by plant biomass) have similar relatively high variances. Thus, under favourable greatest potential evolve response However, became stressful defined mortality), southern marginal individuals (North Carolina) showed (Mediterranean France). Conclusions: When confronted with new environment, at had evolutionary populations.