The non-native Areca triandra palm is a potential threat to the Southwestern rainforests of Sri Lanka

The palm family is a major source of invasive plants because of their long history of introductions outside their native range in tropical and subtropical regions for their use as food and ornamentals. Areca triandra was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1867 through the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya and has been grown as an ornamental for over a century. To assess its potential invasiveness, we applied an invasiveness assessment protocol. Population and reproductive characteristics were studied in Meethirigala and Yagirala Forest Reserves. In each location, stems &gt; 1 m in height were sampled and crown cover was assessed in three plots of 400 m2 (20 × 20 m) and the ground layer &lt; 1 m height sampled through four 1 x 1 m quadrats within each 400 m2 (total of 24 quadrats). Areca triandra accounted for 56 - 66% of stems &gt; 1 m height, 52 - 76% crown cover, and 64 - 77% of saplings and seedlings in the ground layer &lt; 1 m height. Clump formation was high with 30 - 51% having 2 - 7 ste..., , , # The non-native *Areca triandra* palm is a potential threat to the Southwestern rainforests of Sri Lanka [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.70rxwdc8b](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.70rxwdc8b) ## Description of the data and file structure This dataset contains statistical analyses and supplementary materials related to our study on the invasive potential of *Areca triandra* in Sri Lanka’s Southwestern rainforests. The data support our findings on species distribution, ecological impacts, and citizen science contributions for the investigation of this species in Sri Lanka. Supplementary materials include: Appendix 1: Invasiveness assessment protocol, Appendix 2: Species above 1 m height in the study plots, Appendix 3: Results from citizen science survey and Appendix 4: Data collected on infructescence of *Areca triandra*. ### Files and variables **Statistical Analysis:** To identify any significant difference between *A. triandra* and other species in each site (MFR and YFR) and height...,棕榈科植物是入侵植物的主要类群之一，因其在热带、亚热带原生分布区外被长期引种用作食用植物与观赏植物，故而拥有悠久的外来引种历史。三槟榔（Areca triandra）于1867年通过佩拉德尼亚皇家植物园（Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya）被引入斯里兰卡，并作为观赏植物栽培已逾百年。为评估其入侵潜力，本研究采用了一套入侵性评估规程。研究在米蒂里加拉森林保护区（Meethirigala Forest Reserves）与亚吉拉拉森林保护区（Yagirala Forest Reserves）开展了种群与繁殖特性调查。在每个研究地点，对高度>1米的茎干进行采样，并在3个面积为400平方米（20×20米）的样地中评估冠层盖度；同时在每个400平方米样地内设置4个1×1米的样方，对高度<1米的地表层植被进行采样，总计24个样方。三槟榔在高度>1米的茎干个体中占比达56%~66%，冠层盖度占比为52%~76%，在高度<1米的地表层幼树与实生苗中占比为64%~77%。其丛生特性显著，30%~51%的个体拥有2~7个茎干……；# 外来栽培的三槟榔棕榈对斯里兰卡西南部热带雨林构成潜在威胁 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.70rxwdc8b](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.70rxwdc8b) ## 数据集与文件结构说明 本数据集包含与本研究相关的统计分析结果与补充材料，该研究聚焦三槟榔在斯里兰卡西南部热带雨林中的入侵潜力。数据集支撑了本研究关于该物种分布、生态影响以及斯里兰卡境内该物种调查的公民科学贡献相关结论。补充材料包括：附录1：入侵性评估规程；附录2：研究样地内高度>1米的物种信息；附录3：公民科学调查结果；附录4：三槟榔果序相关采集数据。 ### 文件与变量 **统计分析：** 旨在识别各研究站点（MFR与YFR）内三槟榔与其他物种间以及高度……的显著差异。