# Non‐Native Woody Plant Species Show Different Leaf Functional Traits and Herbivory Levels From Native Ones in the Urban Areas of Beijing, China

## TL;DR

Non-native woody plants in Beijing's urban areas differ in leaf traits and carbon storage from native species, but have similar herbivory levels.

## Contribution

The study reveals how non-native species differ in functional traits and energy flow compared to native species in urban ecosystems.

## Key findings

- Non-native trees have higher short-term carbon sequestration and lower nutrient content than native trees.
- Non-native shrubs show lower carbon content and herbivory levels compared to native shrubs.
- Phylogenetic history has a stronger influence on trait variation than spatial differences in urban parks.

## Abstract

A large number of non‐native species have been introduced to urban ecosystems, and it is a distinctive feature of the urbanization process. However, it is unclear whether these non‐native species have similar functional traits to native ones and are similarly integrated into the local food web. We evaluated the differences in leaf functional traits and herbivory between native and non‐native species of common woody plants in 50 parks in Beijing, China. The nutrient contents, defensive traits, and levels of herbivory were measured in 2681 leaves across 138 (52 native and 86 non‐native species) woody plant species. Results show that compared to native species, non‐native trees showed greater potential for short‐term carbon sequestration, lower nutrient contents, and chemical defense but similar levels of herbivory. Non‐native shrubs had lower carbon contents and herbivory levels than native shrubs. Phylogenetic history explained much more of the variance in plant traits and herbivory than spatial variation, suggesting the high homogeneity of environments among different urban parks. Furthermore, the variation in leaf traits and herbivory of non‐native species had higher uncertainty than that of native species. Our research findings indicate that compared to native species in urban ecosystems, non‐native species have reduced plant–herbivore energy flow to primary consumers, which may hinder biodiversity at higher nutrient levels. In the future, urban parks should incorporate more native plant species and enhance environmental heterogeneity.

Non‐native plants differ in traits but show similar herbivory to native species. Phylogenetic history drives trait variance more than spatial factors in urban parks. Native plants boost biodiversity; some non‐natives enhance urban carbon storage.