A Review of Herbaceous Ornamental Plants as Contributors to Plant Invasion Risk in Subtropical Urban Parks: Effects on Plant Composition, Diversity, and Climate-Driven Changes in Alpine Heaths

Abstract

Urban parks in the subtropics are increasingly invaded by herbaceous ornamental plants, many of which were introduced for aesthetic reasons but have become great sources of plant invasion risks. Traits of rapid growth, high reproductive capacity capable of adapting in disturbed environments, allow them to overcompete with native species and change ecosystem functions. This systematic review investigates the ecological consequences of ornamental plant invasions for native biodiversity and plant composition, that is, disrupting ecosystem services, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and water retention. Moreover, it examines how climate change enhances invasion dynamics, most notably in sensitive alpine heath ecosystems, through lengthening growing seasons and augmenting native species stress. The review uses existing literature to identify key invasive species, the mechanisms driving their success, and the ecological consequences of their success. The review explores management strategies to mitigate these risks, including early detection, control measures and sustainable landscaping practices that favor the use of native or non-invasive plants. The review also emphasizes the value of policy interventions and interdisciplinary collaborations for mitigation of risks of plant invasion in urban parks. Future research should capitalize on the development of predictive models for invasion risk assessment to create future energy futures to explore and further invent management techniques and understand the socio-economic impacts of invasive species management. This review synthesizes current knowledge to inform conservation efforts, support sustainable urban planning, and contribute to the conservation of subtropical and alpine ecosystems under climate change pressure.