Scale and season determine the magnitude of invasion impacts on plant communities

摘要: Abstract Global synthesis of studies on impacts invasions plant communities is often inhibited by inconsistent results owing to plethora methodological pitfalls. In this regard, the selection suitable spatial scale, season sampling and choice diversity metrics are crucial considerations. Here we report a global invader, Leucanthemum vulgare Lam., selected along an altitudinal gradient (landscape scale) in Kashmir Himalaya. The environmentally similar but spatially isolated invaded uninvaded plots were then sampled at multiple (quadrat plot) temporal (spring, summer autumn seasons) scales during years 2016-2017. Invasion L. had significantly negative impact structure composition communities. decreased species richness all due its effects abundance (density), distribution intraspecific association. However, magnitude effect was dependent being more severe larger scale. Renyi profiles indicated that invasion three seasons, intensity season, with highest. Non-multidimensional scaling analysis showed altered higher compositional dissimilarity season. Our study suggests scale matter standard measurement impacts. We propose way forward improve analytic tools for undertaking