Warming significantly inhibited the competitive advantage of native plants in interspecific competition under phosphorus deposition

Aims Global warming, phosphorus deposition, and biological invasion have become major environmental problems. Most studies have analyzed the main factors for the success of invasive plants under a single global change. However, the reasons for the success of invasive plants under multiple global changes still need to be explored. This study aimed to determine the impacts of global warming and phosphorus deposition on the competition between native Artemisia argyi and invasive Solidago canadensis. Methods The native Artemisia argyi and the invasive S. canadensis were treated with simulated warming (+2 °C), phosphorus deposition (4 g m −2 yr −1 ), and combined warming and phosphorus treatments under mixed planting. After 12 weeks, plant growth, biomass, leaf physiological, and chemical traits were measured. Results Our results showed that (1) Warming significantly decreased the overall performance (height, root length and biomass) of native A. argyi and invasive S. canadensis ( P 0.05). Conclusions Our results suggest warming significantly counteracts the growth promoting effect of phosphorus on native A. argyi , increasing the relative competitiveness of invasive S. canadensis under interspecific competition.