Effects of global climate change on regeneration of invasive plant species from seeds

Invasive plant species are nonnatives that have spread from their introduction sites and frequently have negative effects on native plants and natural ecosystems. In this chapter, regeneration of invasive plants from seeds in relation to global warming is compared to that of native species. Seeds of invasives are likely to germinate earlier and tolerate increasing temperatures at the germination stage better than native species. Evidence of rapid adaptation of invasives suggests that they can adjust to climate change more quickly than native species. Nonetheless, high germination percentages and rates may lead to a more rapid depletion of seed banks of invasives than natives. Range expansion or shifting is documented for several invasive plant species. Nonetheless, migration to suitable conditions likely requires migration of associated species or rapid development of new species interactions. Migration also may require rapid adaptation to interactions with new enemies, although migrating invasives may continue to benefit from a lack of enemies or experience an extended period with no enemies. Indeed, the new environmental conditions resulting from climate change define every species as a potential new colonizer or invader, and those that adapt and continue to regenerate by seeds are most likely to survive.