Neophyte invasions in European heathlands and scrub

Abstract Human-assisted introduction of alien plants is causing ecosystem transformations worldwide and considered an important threat to biodiversity. We provide a European assessment habitat levels invasion in heathlands scrub identify successful trends across biogeographical regions. analysed geographically stratified data set 24,220 dwarf shrub vegetation plots sampled Europe. Among the 6547 vascular plant taxa occurring these plots, we identified 311 neophytes (4.8%, i.e. species introduced Europe or its sub-regions after 1500 AD) compared five metrics level (i) EUNIS habitats, (ii) broad groups (iii) regions related habitat-specific elevation climatic variables using generalized linear models. neophytes, phanerophytes non-European origin prevailed. The most frequent were Prunus serotina , Robinia pseudoacacia Quercus rubra among phanerophytes, Impatiens parviflora therophytes, Erigeron canadensis Solidago gigantea hemicryptophytes. Levels significantly differed habitats invaded was Macaronesian lowland scrub, followed by riparian Rubus forest-clearing temperate Europe, coastal dune Atlantic region. low shrublands Arctic Mediterranean decreased with within habitats. Results suggest that insularity, elevation, disturbances, high availability considerable fluctuation resources promote neophyte invasions shrublands.