Plant traits better explain soil microbes than non-native plant abundance along invasion gradients
Non-native plant invasion, while widespread, has limited direct impact on soil microbial diversity and abundance. Instead, shifts in soil microbial community composition are primarily driven by changes in plant functional traits and trait differences between native and non-native species. Our study, conducted across early and late successional stages on La Reunion Island, reveals that plant functional traits, such as community-weighted mean trait values, are stronger predictors of soil microbial community composition than non-native plant abundance.