To determine limiting factors, particularly climatic ones, in the distribution range of non-native plant species, the occurrence of non-native species was analysed along elevational gradients in high mountains (especially on Tenerife). Species’ climatic pre-adaptation (“climate matching”) was important for the establishment at low elevations, but played a minor role for spread to higher elevations. At a regional scale, residence time of a species in the new region and its maximum reached altitude were positively correlated. This pattern might be explained by the time needed for genetic adaptations to varying environmental conditions. In fact, a climate chamber experiment revealed for all included species a uniform direction of genetic differentiation between populations of the same species from different elevations. Beside climatic factors, habitat context in the range of introduction was important for shaping the distribution pattern of non-native plant species.
«
To determine limiting factors, particularly climatic ones, in the distribution range of non-native plant species, the occurrence of non-native species was analysed along elevational gradients in high mountains (especially on Tenerife). Species’ climatic pre-adaptation (“climate matching”) was important for the establishment at low elevations, but played a minor role for spread to higher elevations. At a regional scale, residence time of a species in the new region and its maximum reached altitud...
»