Leaf functional traits of invasive and native woody vines

Success of invasive plant species is thought to be linked with their higher leaf carbon fixation strategy. Osunkoya et al. (pp. 371–380) show that there is limited difference in trait plasticity between exotic invasive and native vines in leaf structural, nutrient and physiological characteristics; however, overall trait co-ordination is better in the invasives, and lower construction costs and higher photosynthetic energy use efficiency can account for their rapid spread where introduced.