Potential global distribution of the Japanese raisin tree Hovenia dulcis
The Japanese raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis: Rhamnaceae) is native to East Asia (China, Japan, the Korean peninsula, Thailand and Vietnam) and is reported as an invasive alien plant in South America (Southern Brazil, Northern Argentina and some areas of Paraguay) and Tanzania. In Southern Brazil, the species invades protected areas where there are indications of negative impacts through the displacement of native plant species. Reproduction of H. dulcis is ensured by seed which are spread by small mammals. It is a fast-growing species which can grow in a range of environmental conditions, and it has been introduced into all continents (except Antarctica) as an ornamental species. The potential current and future (taking into consideration climate change) global distribution of H. dulcis was modelled using the current known global distribution and climatic variables from WorldClim (www.worldclim.org). Beyond the already invaded area in South America, the largest suitable regions for H. dulcis outside its native range under current projections are in the South-Eastern USA. Additionally, other regions appear suitable for the establishment of the species such as the west coast of the USA (states of California, Oregon, and Washington), the Adriatic Coast in the EPPO region (i.e., Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Greece), East Africa (i.e., Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania), East Coast of Madagascar, East Coast of Australia (i.e., states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania), and New Zealand. For future scenarios of climate change, the potential area of distribution tends to have an overall small reduction. However, suitability increases in more northern areas of the EPPO region.
Sources
Bergamin RS, Gama M, Almerăo M, Hofmann GS, Anastácio PM (2022) Predicting current and future distribution of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rhamnaceae) worldwide. Biological Invasions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-022-02771-0