News Finding: Co-author Dr Palmer said: "Our research has shown that non-native plants are less widespread than native species, and are not increasing any more than native plants.
Paper Finding: In addition, native plants may have the capacity to out-compete or coexist with the invaders, at least in some local environments .
News Context: Co-author Dr Palmer said: "Our research has shown that non-native plants are less widespread than native species, and are not increasing any more than native plants. It therefore seems likely that factors other than plant invasions are the main causes of vegetation change." The study found that locations with high diversity of non-native species also support high diversity of native species, suggesting that high diversities of native and non-native plant species are compatible with one another.
Paper Context: Competition may be insufficient as a mechanism to drive many or any native plant species extinct, other than at a local scale . In addition, native plants may have the capacity to out-compete or coexist with the invaders, at least in some local environments . However, it is possible to evaluate two conditions that need to be met if past introductions are likely to cause future extinctions.