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Patterns in the alien flora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a comparison of Asteraceae and Fabaceae

par Bordbar, Farzaneh F.;Meerts, Pierre Jacques
Référence Plant ecology and evolution, 153, page (373-389)
Publication Publié, 2020-11-01

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

Background and aims – This work provides the first pattern analysis of the alien flora of the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo (D.R. Congo), using Asteraceae and Fabaceae as a case study.Methods – Based on herbarium collections, existing databases, and literature data, a database of 38 alienspecies of Asteraceae and 79 alien species of Fabaceae has been assembled. Patterns in the introductionpathway, phylogeny, life form, morpho-functional traits, geographic origin, and occurrence in D.R. Congoare explored.Key results – America is the main source continent in both families, but Asia is also an important donorof Fabaceae. Taxonomic spectrum discrepancies between the alien and the native flora reflect the continentof origin. Sixty-six percent of alien Asteraceae have been accidentally introduced, most of which beingannual weeds of disturbed soil. In contrast, 90% of alien Fabaceae have been deliberately introduced forforestry, agriculture, or environmental purposes, most of which being phanerophytes. Traits were comparedbetween pairs of congeneric alien and native species. For Asteraceae, a sharp discrepancy was found in thelife form spectrum (aliens: mostly therophytes; natives: phanerophytes). For Fabaceae, alien species hadlarger leaves and larger pods compared to their native congeners. The number of specimens in collectionswas positively correlated with the time since the date of first collection for both families. The Guineo-Congolian region has the highest number of alien Fabaceae, while alien Asteraceae are overrepresented inthe Zambezian region.Conclusions – Contrasting patterns between alien Asteraceae and Fabaceae in the flora of D.R. Congoin terms of life forms, trait divergence compared to the native flora, and occurrence, reflect the divergentbiological attributes and relations to humans of the two families. The striking discrepancies between the twofamilies call for analyses of patterns of alien flora at family level and warn against global generalisations.