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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2024, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (12): 34-44.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2024054

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The geographic distribution pattern and factors influencing the spread in China of the invasive alien plant Cenchrus longispinus

Yu-xuan HAN1,2,3(), Rui WANG3, Li-fen HAO2, Hai-bin YUAN1(), Ke-jian LIN2()   

  1. 1.College of Plant Protection,Jilin Agricultural University,Changchun 130118,China
    2.Key Laboratory of Biohazard Monitoring and Green Prevention and Control for Artificial Grassland,Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,Grassland Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Hohhot 010010,China
    3.State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests,Institute of Plant Protection,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Beijing 100193,China
  • Received:2024-02-05 Revised:2024-03-25 Online:2024-12-20 Published:2024-10-09
  • Contact: Hai-bin YUAN,Ke-jian LIN

Abstract:

The invasion of Cenchrus longispinus has caused great harm to the northern grassland and the ecotone of agriculture and grazing land in China. Most of the studies have focused on the biological characteristics of, and control measures for C.longispinus, but its invasion and spread mechanisms, geographical distribution pattern and factors influencing these in China are not clear. Hence, we reconstructed the invasion history of C. longispinus in China using data from herbarium specimens, literature, field surveys, and other sources. This spatial analysis approach revealed the spatial distribution pattern of C. longispinus, and the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of its spread. We selected 8 environmental factors based on principal component analysis to identify the key factors that influence distribution and spread patterns. C.longispinus first invaded Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province in 1963, then spread to the southeastern part of Inner Mongolia and western Jilin, where it has formed an invasion infestation and is still spreading. It has also spread to western Inner Mongolia since 2010 and formed a new infestation. The spread of C.longispinus in Liaoning Province shows anisotropy, mainly spreading north and west, with little spread to the southwest. C. longispinus was recorded in Chaoyang District, Beijing and Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province in the 1970s, but subsequently did not spread. The heterogeneity of the direction and pattern of C. longispinus spread in Liaoning and Beijing after introduction may be due to its inability to establish a stable and growing population after introduction. The factor analysis results of the introduction and establishment area show that soil calcium carbonate content, annual average precipitation, surface soil sand content, and surface soil carbon to nitrogen ratio are the key factors affecting whether C. longispinus can establish after introduction. In future risk assessments, the adaptability and reproductive capacity of C. longispinus populations in different soil environments should be considered. To better understand risk of spread, the reproductive growth characteristics and invasiveness in different environments should be fully analyzed. Such data will provide scientific support for accurately identification of areas at risk of colonization and will assist formulation of efficient monitoring and control measures to inhibit further C.longispinus spread.

Key words: invasive plant, Cenchrus longispinus, distribution pattern, dispersal, population establishment, calcium carbonate