Research progress in mutual invasion of Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora communities

Biological invasion is one of the three important environmental problems, which need to be solved urgently. The invasive mechanism from all aspects has been studied. Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora are two kinds of model plants for the research on invasion, which are very famous of their invasive abilities. Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora can invade habitats mutually. In North American Phragmites australis invaded Spartina alterniflora communities, but in Europe and East China, Spartina alterniflora invaded Phragmites australis communities. Both Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora belong to poaceae and they are asexual. Former researches indicated that Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora have similar competitive abilities. This review analyzed the invasive pattern of the two species from two aspects of invasive ability and invasive passages. Their photosynthetic capacity, phenotypic plasticity, adaptive ability to habitat and stress tolerance capacity were compared. It is proposed that the invasive pattern of Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora has some similar characteristics and some different characteristics. In all, human activities supplied an opportunity for both of the two species' invasiveness. Phragmites australis has strong nutrient utilization ability, while Spartina alterniflora has strong stress-tolerant ability and breeding ability, which are also necessary for the two species' invasiveness.