Toward an understanding of broad-scale patterns of the habitat suitability of fountain grass (Cenchrus setaceus (Forssk.) Morrone, Poaceae)


Por: Albuquerque, Fabio, Macias-Rodriguez, Miguel A., Burquez, Alberto, Rowe, Helen

Publicada: 1 nov 2020 Ahead of Print: 1 ene 2020
Resumen:
Understanding the factors contributing to the introduction and spread of invasive species is crucial to help develop management strategies to control and eradicate them in sensitive areas. Our goals were to investigate (1) the association between habitat suitability of fountain grass (Cenchrus setaceus), human footprint, and environmental variables; (2) the biogeographical distribution of habitat suitability of fountain grass, an aggressive invasive species that has altered native ecosystems across multiple continents; (3) what kind of habitats are most likely to be invaded by fountain grass; and (4) the potential impact of climate change on the range of fountain grass. We showed that areas with the highest suitability are in desertic and xeric areas of the Mediterranean, and dry tropical, and subtropical bioclimates. The global biogeographic pattern of the suitability of fountain grass generally increases from the equator toward subtropical areas and then decreases at the north and south portions of the globe. Areas with the highest suitability occur along broad ecotonal zones between deserts and Mediterranean regions. Models indicated human footprint and annual mean temperature most contributed to explaining the global suitability patterns of fountain grass. Climate change analysis showed a high potential contraction of the potential range of fountain grass in the Mediterranean and tropical areas of the southwest USA, northern Mexico, northeast Brazil, and South Africa. Results also indicated a potential moderate expansion of its range, mainly in tropical areas of the southwest USA and East Africa. Our results give support for the tenet that anthropogenic factors and climate dynamics might be a strong explanation of the spatial distribution of fountain grass over broad-extent areas. Managers and stakeholders may apply our results to identify high-priority areas that can be used to prevent future invasions into areas of high suitability. © 2020, Springer Nature B.V.

Filiaciones:
Albuquerque, Fabio:
 Science and Mathematics Faculty, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ 85212, United States

 Arizona State Univ, Coll Integrat Sci & Arts, Sci & Math Fac, Mesa, AZ 85212 USA

Macias-Rodriguez, Miguel A.:
 Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico

 Univ Guadalajara, Ctr Univ Ciencias Biol & Agr, Dept Ciencias Ambientales, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Burquez, Alberto:
 Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Colosio y Sahuaripa, Hermosillo, Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora 83250, Mexico

 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Ecol, Hermosillo 83250, Sonora, Mexico

Rowe, Helen:
 McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Scottsdale, Arizona and School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States

 McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Scottsdale, AZ USA

 No Arizona Univ, Sch Earth & Sustainabil, Flagstaff, AZ 86011 USA
ISSN: 13850237
Editorial
Springer Netherlands, VAN GODEWIJCKSTRAAT 30, 3311 GZ DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS, Países Bajos
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 221 Número: 11
Páginas: 1029-1043
WOS Id: 000556637200001

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