Effect of invasive alien species on the co-occurrence patterns of bryophytes and vascular plant species – the case of a Mediterranean disturbed sandy coast

Cross taxon analyses can explain patterns of interaction between taxa and their application in conservation studies can guide conservation actions. In a coastal sand dune characterized by a high human pressure, we explored the co-occurrence patterns between vascular plants and bryophytes, with a focus on how the presence of IAS can affect those taxa and their relationships. Species congruences were evaluated at the community level considering taxonomic and functional diversities. Predictive co-correspondence analysis was applied to quantify the strength of vascular plant community data in predicting bryophytes species composition. The relationship between the composition of vascular plants and bryophytes was significant, even if weak. Altitude and percentage of bare soil cover are the environmental variables exerting greater influence on the two taxa. IAS’ presence affects communities in an opposite way: for vascular plants, species richness increases with the presence of invasive alien species; for bryophytes, the presence of IAS has a low but significant negative influence, both on species richness and in terms of functional diversity. Partial Mantel test revealed that this relationship is not linked to the response to environmental factors. Results give elements for future studies on the effect of IAS on the bryophytes colonizing coastal sand dunes.