Ecological impacts of invasive alien plants: a meta-analysis of their effects on species, communities and ecosystems

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 14(7), P. 702 - 708

Published: May 19, 2011

Biological invasions cause ecological and economic impacts across the globe. However, it is unclear whether there are strong patterns in terms of their major effects, how vulnerability different ecosystems varies which ecosystem services at greatest risk. We present a global meta-analysis 199 articles reporting 1041 field studies that total describe 135 alien plant taxa on resident species, communities ecosystems. Across studies, plants had significant effect 11 24 types impact assessed. The magnitude direction varied both within between impact. On average, abundance diversity species decreased invaded sites, whereas primary production several processes were enhanced. While N-fixing greater N-cycling variables, they did not consistently affect other types. was significantly island mainland Overall, heterogeneous unidirectional even particular Our analysis also reveals by time changes nutrient cycling detected, likely to have already occurred.

Language: Английский

---

A global assessment of invasive plant impacts on resident species, communities and ecosystems: the interaction of impact measures, invading species' traits and environment

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 18(5), P. 1725 - 1737

Published: Dec. 30, 2011

Abstract With the growing body of literature assessing impact invasive alien plants on resident species and ecosystems, a comprehensive assessment relationship between traits environmental settings invasion characteristics impacts is needed. Based 287 publications with 1551 individual cases that addressed 167 plant belonging to 49 families, we present first global overview frequencies significant non‐significant ecological their directions 15 outcomes related responses populations, species, communities ecosystems. Species community tend decline following invasions, especially those for plants, but abundance richness soil biota, as well concentrations nutrients water, more often increase than decrease invasion. Data mining tools revealed exert consistent some (survival activity animals, productivity, mineral nutrient content in tissues, fire frequency intensity), whereas at level, such richness, diversity resources, significance determined by interactions biome invaded. The latter are most likely be impacted annual grasses, wind pollinated trees invading mediterranean or tropical biomes. One clearest signals this analysis far cause animal islands rather mainland. This study shows there no universal measure pattern observed depends examined. Although strongly context dependent, traits, life form, stature pollination syndrome, may provide means predict impact, regardless particular habitat geographical region

Language: Английский

---

Invasive Species, Environmental Change and Management, and Health

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 35(1), P. 25 - 55

Published: Oct. 22, 2010

Invasive species are a major element of global change and contributing to biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, impairment services worldwide. Research is shedding new light on the ecological economic consequences invasions. New approaches emerging for describing evaluating impacts invasive species, translating these into monetary terms. The harmful effects invasions now widely recognized, multiscale programs in place many parts world reduce current future impacts. There has been an upsurge scientific research aimed at guiding management interventions. Among activities that receiving most attention have promise reducing problems risk assessment, pathway vector management, early detection, rapid response, mitigation restoration. Screening protocols introductions becoming more accurate shown cost-effective.

Language: Английский

---

Trees and shrubs as invasive alien species – a global review

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 17(5), P. 788 - 809

Published: Aug. 8, 2011

Abstract Aim Woody plants were not widely considered to be important invasive alien species until fairly recently. Thousands of trees and shrubs have, however, been moved around the world. Many have spread from planting sites, some are now among most widespread damaging organisms. This article presents a global list shrubs. It discusses taxonomic biases, geographical patterns, modes dispersal, reasons for introductions key issues regarding invasions non‐native woody Location Global. Methods An exhaustive survey was made regional national databases literature. Correspondence with botanists ecologists our own observations in many parts world expanded list. Presence determined each 15 broad regions. The main introduction dissemination species. Results comprises 622 (357 trees, 265 29 plant orders, 78 families, 286 genera). Regions largest number are: Australia (183); southern Africa (170); North America (163); Pacific Islands (147); New Zealand (107). Species introduced horticulture dominated (62% species: 196 187 shrubs). next forestry (13%), food (10%) agroforestry (7%). Three hundred twenty‐three (52%) currently known only one region, another 126 (20%) occur two Only 38 (6%) very (invasive six or more regions). Over 40% tree over 60% shrub bird dispersed. Main conclusions between 0.5% 0.7% world’s outside their natural range, but rapidly increasing importance objectively compiled presented here provides snapshot current dimensions phenomenon will useful screening new potential.

Language: Английский

---

Global indicators of biological invasion: species numbers, biodiversity impact and policy responses

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 16(1), P. 95 - 108

Published: Jan. 1, 2010

Abstract Aim Invasive alien species (IAS) pose a significant threat to biodiversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2010 Biodiversity Target, and the associated indicator for IAS, has stimulated globally coordinated efforts quantify patterns in extent of biological invasion, its impact biodiversity policy responses. Here, we report outcome indicators invasion at global scale. Location Global. Methods We developed four pressure‐state‐response framework, i.e. number documented IAS (pressure), trends (state) international agreements national adoption relevant reducing threats (response). These measures were considered best suited providing representative, standardized sustainable by 2010. Results show that is underestimate, because value negatively affected country development status positively research effort information availability. Red List Index demonstrates pressure driving declines diversity, with overall apparently increasing. response trend nonetheless been positive last several decades, although only half countries are signatory Diversity (CBD) have IAS‐relevant legislation. Although driven response, this clearly not sufficient and/or adequately implemented reduce impact. Main conclusions For biodiversity, Target thus achieved. results provide clear direction bridging current divide between available needed management prevention control IAS. It further highlights need ensure effectively implemented, such it translates into reduced beyond

Language: Английский

---

Impacts of invasive Australian acacias: implications for management and restoration

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 17(5), P. 1015 - 1029

Published: Aug. 8, 2011

Abstract Aim The biophysical impacts of invasive Australian acacias and their effects on ecosystem services are explored used to develop a framework for improved restoration practices. Location South Africa, Portugal Chile. Methods A conceptual model responses the increasing severity (density duration) invasions was developed from literature our knowledge how these affect options restoration. Case studies identify similarities differences between three regions severely affected by acacias: Acacia dealbata in Chile, longifolia saligna Africa. Results have wide range ecosystems that increase with time disturbance, transform alter reduce service delivery. shared trait is accumulation massive seed banks, which enables them become dominant after disturbances. Ecosystem trajectories recovery potential suggest there important thresholds state resilience. When crossed, radically altered; many cases, autogenic (self‐driven self‐sustaining) pre‐invasion condition inhibited, necessitating active intervention restore composition function. Main conclusions demonstrates degree, nature reversibility degradation identifies key actions needed desired states. Control operations, particularly restoration, require substantial short‐ medium‐term investments, can losses biodiversity services, costs society long term. Increasing effectiveness will further research into linkages This should involve scientists, practitioners managers engaged plant control programmes, together as both investors in, beneficiaries of, more effective

Language: Английский

---

Bias and error in understanding plant invasion impacts

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 28(4), P. 212 - 218

Published: Nov. 12, 2012

Language: Английский

---

Defining the Impact of Non‐Native Species

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 28(5), P. 1188 - 1194

Published: April 29, 2014

Abstract Non‐native species cause changes in the ecosystems to which they are introduced. These changes, or some of them, usually termed impacts; can be manifold and potentially damaging biodiversity. However, impacts most non‐native poorly understood, a synthesis available information is being hindered because authors often do not clearly define impact. We argue that explicitly defining impact will promote progress toward better understanding implications biodiversity caused by species; help disentangle aspects scientific debates about due disparate definitions represent true discord; improve communication between scientists from different research disciplines scientists, managers, policy makers. For these reasons based on examples literature, we devised seven key questions fall into 4 categories: directionality, classification measurement, ecological socio‐economic scale. should formulating clear practical suit specific scientific, stakeholder, legislative contexts. Definiendo el Impacto de las Especies No‐Nativas

Language: Английский

---

Resource competition in plant invasions: emerging patterns and research needs

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: Sept. 29, 2014

Invasions by alien plants provide a unique opportunity to examine competitive interactions among plants. While resource competition has long been regarded as major mechanism responsible for successful invasions, given well-known capacity many invaders become dominant and reduce plant diversity in the invaded communities, few studies have measured directly or assessed its importance relatively that of other mechanisms, at different stages an invasion process. Here, we review evidence comparing ability invasive species vs. co-occurring native plants, along range environmental gradients, showing superior over species, while congeners are not necessarily competitively congeners, nor dominants better competitors than dominants. We discuss how outcomes depend on number factors, such heterogeneous distribution resources, stage process, well phenotypic plasticity evolutionary adaptation, which may result increased decreased both species. Competitive advantages natives often transient only important early It remains unclear is relative mechanisms (competition avoidance via phenological differences, niche differentiation space associated with phylogenetic distance, recruitment dispersal limitation, indirect competition, allelopathy). then identify conceptual methodological issues characterizing future research needs, including examinations dynamics impact global changes between

Language: Английский

---

Naturalization of introduced plants: ecological drivers of biogeographical patterns

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 196(2), P. 383 - 396

Published: Sept. 3, 2012

The literature on biological invasions is biased in favour of invasive species--those that spread and often reach high abundance following introduction by humans. It is, however, also important to understand previous stages the introduction-naturalization-invasion continuum ('the continuum'), especially factors mediate naturalization. emphasis invasiveness partly because most are only recognized once species occupy large adventive ranges or start spread. Also, many studies lump all alien species, fail separate introduced, naturalized populations species. These biases impede our ability elucidate full suite drivers invasion predict dynamics, different progression along sections continuum. A better understanding determinants naturalization potential invaders. Processes leading act differently regions global biogeographical patterns plant result from interaction population-biological, macroecological human-induced factors. We explore what known about how plants interact at various scales, their importance varies Research explicitly linked particular can generate new information appropriate for improving management if, example, potentially identified before they exert an impact.

Language: Английский

---