Abstract: The impacts of invasive plants on ecosystem have become a focus in the field of ecology. We investigated the number and ecological characteristics of invasive plants in Yuncheng Salt Lake wetland, aiming to provide scientific basis for the rational utilization and ecological restoration of wetland ecosystems. Based on the survey data of 385 plots, the species of invasive plants in this area were listed, and their quantitative and ecological characteristics, floristic characteristics, dominance and niche characteristics were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) There were 35 invasive plant species from 13 families and 30 genera in Yuncheng Salt Lake wetland. Asteraceae and Fabaceae were the dominant families, and annual herb was the dominant growth type. (2) Among the 35 invasive species, 13 species were classified as Ⅰ and Ⅱ hazard species, accounting for 37.14% of the total. Among them, five species, such as Amaranthus retroflexus and Erigeron canadensis, had caused malignant invasion hazards. (3) The origin of invasive plants is mainly in America. The invasive species from the American continent have strong adaptability and diffusion in this region. (4) In terms of floristic composition, the genera and families of the world distribution types of invasive plants occupy the dominant position. (5) The dominance degree and niche breaths of Lolium perenne, Cosmos bipinnatus and Erigeron canadensis were relatively large. The potential causes of plant invasion in Yuncheng Salt Lake wetland are early development time, long history of salt mining, and fragile ecological environment. Measures combining artificial control and reasonable ecological restoration that considering the differences of habitat types should be taken to control the spread of invasive species.

Key words: invasive plant, species composition, floristic characteristics, species diversity, ecosystem