水体富营养化和外来植物互花米草的扩散是我国海岸带面临的两个比较突出的生态环境问题，探明两者之间的潜在相互作用，对于掌握我国滨海湿地在水环境变化下的外来物种扩散动态及生态系统结构和功能演化趋势具有重要意义。营养盐是互花米草生长和繁殖的关键影响要素，然而，对于营养盐富集如何互影响互花米草的扩散，目前仍缺乏系统性的认知。针对这一问题，本项目拟聚焦互花米草扩散的两个关键过程：实生苗定植和斑块无性扩散，通过室内控制实验、野外控制实验和定位监测以及模型模拟分析等多种技术手段，研究在个体、克隆斑块和种群这三个尺度互花米草扩散对氮磷营养盐富集的响应规律，为全面掌握营养盐条件变化对互花米草扩散的调控机制、预测其未来扩散动态、潜在入侵风险以及我国滨海湿地在富营养化趋势下的结构和功能演变提供科学依据。

Eutrophication and expansion of the exotic plant Spartina alterniflora are two prominent ecological and environmental problems facing coastal zones in China. Understanding their potential interactions is critical for anticipating the expansion dynamics of exotic plants as well as the future evolution of ecosystem structure and function of coastal wetlands under environmental changes. Yet it remains poorly understood how nutrient enrichment may affect the spread of Spartina alterniflora. Here, we focus on two key ecological processes involved in S. alterniflora expansion, seedling establishment and clonal extension. Through lab manipulative experiments, field experiments and monitoring as well as model simulation and analysis, we examine the effects of increased nutrient level on the spread capacity of S. alterniflora on three different scales: individual, tussock and population. This can shed light on the mechanisms underlying the response of S. alterniflora to shifts in key environmental conditions. Such information is highly relevant for evaluating future expansion capacity and invasion potential of S. alterniflora, and can provide basic input for forecasting future evolution of Chinese coastal wetlands in the face of coastal eutrophication.