The invasion paradox dissolves when using phylogenetic and temporal perspectives

The prediction that higher biodiversity leads to denser niche packing and thus community resistance invasion has long been studied, with species richness as the predominant measure of diversity. However, few studies have explored how phylogenetic functional diversity, which should represent space more faithfully than taxonomic influence invasibility, especially across longer time frames over larger spatial extents. We used a 15-year, 150-site grassland dataset assess relationships between invasive plant abundance phylogenetic, diversity recipient native communities. analysed both pooled all surveys longitudinally, leveraging time-series data compare observed patterns in those predicted by two assembly processes: biotic competitive exclusion. expected phylogenetically functionally diverse communities exhibit greater invasion. With dataset, we found support for long-standing observation lower species, novel finding had species. no aggregate (multivariate) on invasion, but assemblages taller plants, variability height seed mass were less invaded. Viewed relationship was reversed: most resistant This apparent discrepancy suggests dynamics are influenced site attributes emphasizes value studying time. Synthesis. Our results provide insight into nuances diversity–invasibility relationship: differed different dimensions depending whether evaluated longitudinally. findings highlight limitations using single time-point ‘snapshots’ composition infer mechanisms.