Contrasting response of native and non?native plants to disturbance and herbivory in mountain environments

Aim Climate warming and increasing human disturbance are expected to promote non-native plant invasions in mountain ecosystems. Although biological also be modulated by biotic interactions, it is still not clear how invertebrate herbivores can affect invasion dynamics. Using a large manipulative experiment, we aimed at testing: (1) the effect of soil elevation on native communities, (2) plant-herbivore nitrogen deposition, driving establishment after disturbance. Location European Alps, NE Italy. Taxon Vascular plants. Methods We selected remote, uninvaded dry semi-natural grasslands along core elevational range plants Alps (c. 100–1300 m) manipulated disturbance, herbivory. Then, followed natural under real field conditions both over one growing season. used generalized mixed-effects models test effects experimental treatments. Results Native species showed contrasting responses elevation. Low elevations promoted success, while affecting diversity negatively. Two-thirds sites acquired novel non-natives Most observed were present surrounding vegetation as mature plants, indicating that propagules able reach even remote areas. While current N deposition levels did establishment, found herbivory might play an important role facilitating reducing cover. Main conclusions Our findings show highly resistant ecosystems such continuous easily invaded once resident has been removed, pressure from invertebrates amplify negative irrespective Together, these results indicate risks future mountains global change.