Aliens in the city: Towards identifying non-indigenous floristic hotspots within an urban matrix

摘要: Abstract Urban natural green spaces are becoming increasingly impacted by anthropogenic disturbances, promoting alien plant invasions. Using a rapidly developing city in South Africa as case study, we related distribution, composition, and ordering of species to environmental factors identify drivers invasiveness. Vegetation surveys were used quantify (in terms composition density) within 30 spaces. Floristic characteristics then levels non-natural disturbance selected abiotic parameters. Based on the relationships observed, floristic parameters develop an Alien Invasive Index ‘invasive hotspots’. Collectively, 80 (from families) found, 35 which invasive. The most speciose families Asteraceae > Fabaceae > Verbenaceae. Their representatives, specifically invasive shrubs Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) herbs Conyza sumatrensis, Bidens pilosa Tagetes minuata also dominant frequency across sites density. A Principal Component Analysis showed be strongly level disturbance, followed distance informal settlement soil moisture content. could discriminate between with low high invasiveness, its suitability was validated fact that very index values close proximity settlements. study demonstrates value combining classical situ vegetation overlay analysis using Geographic Information System for prioritising management cities limited financial resources.