Journal Title: Plants

Special Issue Title: The effects and the key mechanisms of co-invasion mediated by two or more invasive plant species

Keywords: Invasive plant, co-invasion, native species, environmental factor, global change, ecological effects

Submission Deadline: 31 May 2024

Webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/plants/special_issues/P3Y0QA4GPM

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Congyan Wang

Affiliation: Institute of Environment and Ecology & School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301, Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P. R. China

Homepage: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6132-3319

Email: liuyuexue623@ujs.edu.cn

Interests: invasion ecology; plant invasion

Prof. Dr. Hongli Li

Affiliation: School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, No. 35, Qinghua East Road, Haidian District, 100083, Beijing, P. R. China

Homepage: http://zrbhq.bjfu.edu.cn/szdw/zrjs/sdstx1/390799.html

Email: lhl1231@bjfu.edu.cn

Interests: invasion ecology; wetland ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Invasive plants affect the composition of native habitats, often leading to biodiversity loss. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying successful biological invasion has become an important issue in invasion ecology.

The successful invasion of one invasive plant can usually increase the chances of a successful invasion of another invasive plant in the same habitat, a phenomenon known as co-invasion (or secondary invasion, invasion meltdown, and invasion vortex). As a result, there are two or even more invasive plant species in numerous occupied habitats.

The aim of this Special Issue is to analyze and elucidate the environmental and ecological effects of co-invasion, to assess the environmental and ecological risks of co-invasion, and to elucidate the key mechanisms underlying co-invasion.

Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. The effects and the key mechanisms of co-invasion on the growth performance of native species.

2. The effects and the key mechanisms of co-invasion on plant diversity.

3. The effects and the key mechanisms of co-invasion on animal diversity.

4. The effects and the key mechanisms of co-invasion on microbial diversity.

5. The effects and the key mechanisms of co-invasion on ecological services.

6. The effect and the key mechanisms of an invasive plant on the invasion process of another invasive plant.

7. The role of native species during co-invasion.

8. The role of environmental factors (e.g., soil nutrient levels, etc.) during co-invasion.

9. The effects of global change (e.g., temperature changes and precipitation changes, etc.) on the probability of co-invasion.