Data from: Artificial nighttime lighting and herbivory interactively reduce the biomass production of invasive plants while enhancing that of native plants

Artificial light at night (ALAN) can influence plant growth, defence,
interactions with herbivores, and invasion by exotic plants. However,
studies assessing the interactive effects of ALAN, nutrient enrichment,
and herbivory on invasive and native plant species remain limited. We
conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the interactive effects
of ALAN (No-ALAN vs. ALAN), nutrient enrichment (low vs. high), and
herbivory by a generalist Spodoptera litura (without vs. with) on the
growth, root allocation, and defence of six congeneric pairs of invasive
and native plant species. Nutrient enrichment increased total biomass more
in native plants than in invasive plants. ALAN enhanced total biomass in
both groups of plants without herbivory, but increased native plant
biomass and decreased that of invasive plants under herbivory. ALAN
reduced root mass fraction, especially under low-nutrient conditions
without herbivory. Native plants exhibited greater tolerance to herbivory
and higher net photosynthetic rates under ALAN compared to invasive
species. Moreover, S. litura larvae grew faster on invasive plants but
slower on native plants under ALAN. These findings suggest that ALAN may
weaken the competitive advantage of invasive species by enhancing the
defense mechanisms and physiological performance of native plants,
potentially shifting competitive dynamics in favor of native flora.