The global loss of floristic uniqueness

This study analyzes the global loss of regional floristic uniqueness due to the naturalization of alien plant species. Using data from 658 regions worldwide, the researchers found strong taxonomic and phylogenetic homogenization, weakening the natural decline in floristic similarity with geographic distance. Homogenization increased with climatic similarity and was greater between regions with current or past administrative relationships, highlighting the roles of climate matching and human-mediated exchange in plant naturalization. The findings demonstrate that naturalized alien plants threaten the taxonomic and phylogenetic uniqueness of regional floras globally, emphasizing the need for effective biodiversity conservation measures.

Qiang Yang, Patrick Weigelt, Trevor S Fristoe, Zhijie Zhang, Holger Kreft, Anke Stein, Hanno Seebens, Wayne Dawson, Franz Essl, Christian König, Bernd Lenzner, Jan Pergl, Robin Pouteau, Petr Pyšek, Marten Winter, Aleksandr L Ebel, Nicol Fuentes, Eduardo L H Giehl, John Kartesz, Pavel Krestov, Toomas Kukk, Misako Nishino, Andrey Kupriyanov, Jose Luis Villaseñor, Jan J Wieringa, Abida Zeddam, Elena Zykova, Mark van Kleunen