Invasive Species as Rivals: Invasive Potential and Distribution Pattern of Xanthium strumarium L.

Xanthium strumarium L. is a globally successful invasive herb that has had significant negative ecological, economic and social impacts in many world regions. The present study was therefore conducted to evaluate the potential spatial distribution patterns of X. heavily invaded plant communities semiarid regions northern Pakistan. Investigations were based on data from 20 plants grown Herbarium at University Malakand, observations 450 plots distributed across 45 stands representing habitats Northern Province including open fields, hillocks abandoned areas both urban rural areas. Multivariate analysis identified elevation, organic matter carbon as environmental variables most associated with by strumarium. Increased soil silt positively available water negatively strumarium–invaded communities. These key characteristics allowed us identify four main associations: Group I: strumarium-C. sativa, II: strumarium-P. hysterophorus, III: strumarium-A. aspera IV: sativa. Other species observed, either exotic, such P. or indigenous, C. sativa D. inoxia, often co-occurring responding similarly these factors. results suggest high temperature drought stress could be determinant increasing population lower elevations, whereas colder climates adequate moisture are related reduced populations higher near species’ upper range limits. It recommend inclusion appropriate, additional climatic models implemented order better explain ecological niches help guide conservation protection plans for native