当前的气候变暖阶段正在导致一些植物和动物的生存范围从较低的纬度和高度向较高的纬度和高度迁移。现在，对15个植物物种（包括以前已经表现出生存范围快速扩展的6个物种及9个相关的本地种）的生长状况所做的一项研究表明，向北-西欧扩展其生存范围的外来植物物种与本地种相比，暴露于地面下敌人和地面上广谱草食动物的机会都要少一些。这项工作所说明的一个问题是，生存范围向较高纬度和高度迁移的一些植物将是入侵性的，对温带及北纬地区的生物多样性有潜在的有害影响。（生物谷Bioon.com）
生物谷推荐原始出处：
Nature 456, 946-948 (18 December 2008) | doi:10.1038/nature07474
Successful range-expanding plants experience less above-ground and below-ground enemy impact
Tim Engelkes1, Elly Morri?n1, Koen J. F. Verhoeven1, T. Martijn Bezemer1,2, Arjen Biere1, Jeffrey A. Harvey1, Lauren M. McIntyre3, Wil L. M. Tamis4 & Wim H. van der Putten1,2
1 Department of Multitrophic Interactions, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), PO Box 40, 6666 ZG Heteren, The Netherlands
2 Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 8123, 6700 ES Wageningen, The Netherlands
3 Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Statistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-1399, USA
4 Nationaal Herbarium Nederland, Leiden University Branch, PO Box 9514, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
Top of pageMany species are currently moving to higher latitudes and altitudes1, 2, 3. However, little is known about the factors that influence the future performance of range-expanding species in their new habitats. Here we show that range-expanding plant species from a riverine area were better defended against shoot and root enemies than were related native plant species growing in the same area. We grew fifteen plant species with and without non-coevolved polyphagous locusts and cosmopolitan, polyphagous aphids. Contrary to our expectations, the locusts performed more poorly on the range-expanding plant species than on the congeneric native plant species, whereas the aphids showed no difference. The shoot herbivores reduced the biomass of the native plants more than they did that of the congeneric range expanders. Also, the range-expanding plants developed fewer pathogenic effects4, 5 in their root-zone soil than did the related native species. Current predictions forecast biodiversity loss due to limitations in the ability of species to adjust to climate warming conditions in their range6, 7, 8. Our results strongly suggest that the plants that shift ranges towards higher latitudes and altitudes may include potential invaders, as the successful range expanders may experience less control by above-ground or below-ground enemies than the natives.
