High Soil Sulfur Promotes Invasion of Exotic Spartina alterniflora into Native Phragmites australis Marsh

Sulfur plays an important role in plant physiological processes functioning as one of the macro‐elements, but high soil sulfur is toxic to most of the plants. Exotic Spartina alterniflora, a blacklist invasive species in China, actively accumulates and stores sulfur in their tissues leading to high sulfide concentration in the invaded environment. Spartina alterniflora might be using high sulfur as a chemical tool in successful competition with indigenous species as e.g., Phragmites australis. As the supply of sulfur increases due to acid rain and rising sea levels, plant invasions will likely become more problematic around the world. Spartina alterniflora, a blacklist invasive species in China, actively accumulate and store sulfur in their tissues, leading to a high sulfide concentration in the invaded environment. S. alterniflora may be using high sulfur as a chemical weapon in successful (out)competition with the indigenous species, Phragmites australis.