Ecological similarities and dissimilarities between donor and recipient regions shape global plant naturalizations

Shu-ya Fan, Trevor S. Fristoe, Shao-peng Li (), Patrick Weigelt, Holger Kreft, Wayne Dawson, Marten Winter, Petr Pyšek, Jan Pergl, Franz Essl, Amy J. S. Davis and Mark van Kleunen
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Shu-ya Fan: East China Normal University, Research Center for Global Change and Ecological Forecasting, Zhejiang Tiantong Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Zhejiang Zhoushan Island Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences
Trevor S. Fristoe: University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras, Department of Biology
Shao-peng Li: East China Normal University, Research Center for Global Change and Ecological Forecasting, Zhejiang Tiantong Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Zhejiang Zhoushan Island Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences
Patrick Weigelt: Radboud University, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences
Holger Kreft: University of Göttingen, Biodiversity, Macroecology & Biogeography
Wayne Dawson: University of Liverpool, Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Marten Winter: German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Petr Pyšek: Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Invasion Ecology, Institute of Botany
Jan Pergl: Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Invasion Ecology, Institute of Botany
Franz Essl: University of Vienna, Division of Bioinvasions, Global Change & Macroecology, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research
Amy J. S. Davis: University of Konstanz, Ecology, Department of Biology
Mark van Kleunen: University of Konstanz, Ecology, Department of Biology

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract A central question in ecology is why alien species naturalize successfully in some regions but not in others. While some hypotheses suggest aliens are more likely to naturalize in environments similar to donor regions, others suggest they thrive in regions where certain characteristics are different. Using the native (i.e., donor) and recipient distributions of 11,604 naturalized alien plant species across 650 regions globally, we assess whether plants are more likely to naturalize in regions that are ecologically similar or dissimilar to their donor regions. Our results show that species are more likely to naturalize in recipient regions where climates are similar and native floras are phylogenetically similar to those of their donor regions, indicating that pre-adaptation to familiar biotic and abiotic conditions facilitates naturalization. However, naturalization is also more likely in regions with lower native flora diversity and more intense human modification than in the species’ native range. Among all predictors, climate similarity and difference in native flora diversity emerge as the strongest predictors of naturalization success. In conclusion, ecological similarity in some factors but dissimilarity in others between donor and recipient regions promote the naturalization of alien plants and contribute to their uneven global distribution patterns.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65455-y

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