Abstract
Fast-growing plant species adapted to moist, nitrogen-rich soils lost many more fungal and viral pathogens upon introduction to the United States than did other types of plants. Such enemy release is thought to provide exotic species with an advantage over native species still burdened by their enemies.
This is the first study to show that the strength of enemy release can be predicted from the type of plant: Exotic species that are fast-growing and weedy are likely to benefit most from enemy release. Unfortunately, these are the same species most-favored by global change.
Fast-growing, weedy species thrive in environments with ample plant resources. And global change increases key plant resources, such as carbon dioxide and soil nitrogen, through increases in the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, respectively.