Predicting the current distribution and potential spread of the exotic grass eragrostis plana nees in South America and identifying a bioclimatic niche shift during invasion
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Data
2013-05
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Resumo
Eragrostis plana (Poaceae) is a perennial grass introduced from South Africa to the state of Rio Grande
do Sul in southern Brazil. Currently, it is considered an invasive grass in several regions of the world, including
South America, where it has caused negative ecological and socio-economic impacts. Ecological niche models,
using bioclimatic variables, are often used to predict the potential distribution of invasive species. In this study we
prepared two bioclimatic models for E. plana using the Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Production, the first based
on data from its native region (South Africa) and the second on data from both the native and invaded (South
America) regions.We then projected each model onto South America to identify regions vulnerable to invasion by
the species, and compared our results with available records of the species in South America. Finally, we explored
the model’s predictions for the existence of a bioclimatic niche shift during the invasion process of E. plana in South
America, using multivariate statistical analysis. The model created with native distribution data was only able to
predict (with highly suitable habitat) the region of introduction of E. plana in South America. However, the current
distribution, as well as the region of introduction of the species, was reliably predicted by the model created with
data from both native and invaded regions. Our multivariate analysis supports a hypothesis of bioclimatic niche shift
during the invasion process of E. plana in South America.
Descrição
v. 38, p. 260-267, mai., 2013
Palavras-chave
Bioclimatic variable, Ecological niche model, GARP, Invasive grass, Native pasture
Citação
BARBOSA, Fabiana G.; PILLAR, Valério D.; PALMER, Anthony R.; MELO, Adriano S. Predicting the current distribution and potential spread of the exotic grass eragrostis plana nees in South America and identifying a bioclimatic niche shift during invasion. Austral Ecology, v. 38, p. 260-267, May 2013. Disponível em: <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2012.02399.x/epdf>.