The effects of Xanthium species

Invasive plants introduced outside their native ranges by human activities are posing significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Nevertheless, plants invasion driven changes in ‘biodiversity–ecosystem function’ are scantily described in relation to multifunctionality. Climate factor are often considered to influence plant invasions consequences. However, there exists paucity of empirical evidences on how invasive plants and their interactions with climatic variables like temperature affect multifunctionality. In this study, we designed a field experiment assessing the effects of invasive Xanthium on multifunctionality across temperature gradients in northwest China. Further, similar warming effects were assessed on congener indigenous species for comparison.