Who’s invading what? Systems thinking about invasive species

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 993-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. M. H. Larson
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Sociology Of Science ◽  
Invasion Biology ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Ecological Change ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Per Se

While invasive plant species have dramatic and varied effects, this paper examines the focus of this symposium on their “threat to native biodiversity and ecosystems”. This claim implies that there is (i) an enduring something, (ii) it is native, and (iii) it is under threat from invasive species. I examine these implications in turn, first considering the role of the observer in invasion biology, particularly in preferring a nature characterized by stability rather than flux. Second, I examine the concept of “native” given that humans are thoroughly embedded within natural ecological systems. Third, I demonstrate how our exclusion of humans conditions us to consider invasive species a primary threat rather than one among many interacting causal agents of global change; in particular, recent evidence indicates that these agents, which include human-caused disturbances and global warming (not to mention human population growth and global trade), may overwhelm the effects of invasive species per se. For these and other reasons, some ecologists have argued that ecological change is inevitable and that our concerns about invasive species are unjustified. I discuss these issues and suggest ways for ecologists to conduct engaged research through appropriate advocacy and engagement with stakeholders dealing with local invasive species. Key words: Advocacy, culture, philosophy of nature, sociology of science

scholarly journals Invasion landscapes as social‐ecological systems: Role of social factors in invasive plant species control

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Yletyinen ◽  
George L. W. Perry ◽  
Olivia R. Burge ◽  
Norman W. H. Mason ◽  
Philip Stahlmann‐Brown
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological

Incorporating fungal community ecology into invasion biology: challenges and opportunities

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Eleonora Egidi ◽  
Ashley E Franks
Keyword(s):  
Community Ecology ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Fungal Community ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Invasion Biology ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Native Communities ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
And Control

Recently, the role of the plant-associated mycobiome (i.e. the fungal community) in influencing the competitive success of invasive plant species has received increasing attention. Fungi act as primary drivers of the plant invasion process due to their ability to form both beneficial and detrimental relationships with terrestrial plant species. Here we review the role of the plant mycobiome in promoting or inhibiting plant species invasion into foreign ecosystems. Moreover, the potential to exploit these relationships for invasive plant control and restoration of native communities is discussed. Incorporating fungal community ecology into invasion and restoration biology will aid in the management and control of invasive plant species in Australia.

scholarly journals Understanding the Environmental Background of an Invasive Plant Species (Asclepias syriaca) for the Future: An Application of LUCAS Field Photographs and Machine Learning Algorithm Methods

Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Péter Szilassi ◽  
Gábor Szatmári ◽  
László Pásztor ◽  
Mátyás Árvai ◽  
József Szatmári ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
European Union ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Learning Algorithm ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithm ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Asclepias Syriaca

For developing global strategies against the dramatic spread of invasive species, we need to identify the geographical, environmental, and socioeconomic factors determining the spatial distribution of invasive species. In our study, we investigated these factors influencing the occurrences of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.), an invasive plant species that is of great concern to the European Union (EU). In a Hungarian study area, we used country-scale soil and climate databases, as well as an EU-scale land cover databases (CORINE) for the analyses. For the abundance data of A. syriaca, we applied the field survey photos from the Land Use and Coverage Area Frame Survey (LUCAS) Land Cover database for the European Union. With machine learning algorithm methods, we quantified the relative weight of the environmental variables on the abundance of common milkweed. According to our findings, soil texture and soil type (sandy soils) were the most important variables determining the occurrence of this species. We could exactly identify the actual land cover types and the recent land cover changes that have a significant role in the occurrence the common milkweed in Europe. We could also show the role of climatic conditions of the study area in the occurrence of this species, and we could prepare the potential distribution map of common milkweed for the study area.

Composting Invasive Plants in the Rio Grande River

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica J. Meier ◽  
Tina M. Waliczek ◽  
Michael L. Abbott
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Giant Reed ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Germination And Growth ◽  
Vegetative Propagules ◽  
The U.S

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of whole-plant composting on the viability of seeds and other propagules of the invasive plant species waterhyacinth, waterlettuce, hydrilla, and giant reed while producing a valuable compost product. Invasive species were subjected to preliminary germination and growth tests and oven mortality tests to evaluate whether species distribution was via seeds, vegetative propagules, or both, as well as whether the composting process had the potential, through the high temperatures obtained, to kill seeds and other propagules. Germination and growth tests determined the means by which invasive species spread. Oven tests determined the temperatures at which unscarified and scarified seeds and propagules were rendered inviable. Achieving temperatures of at least 57.2 C was necessary within constructed compost piles to effectively kill the plants without the danger of redistribution. In the field, the study successfully developed a large-scale composting operation using invasive plant species as the primary feedstock. Analysis of field-scale composting showed final materials were within satisfactory to ideal levels for samples analyzed by the U.S. Compost Council's Seal of Testing Assurance Program and were, therefore, a valuable compost product.

scholarly journals Keragaman dan Pengendalian Tumbuhan Invasif di KHDTK Samboja, Kalimantan Timur (Diversity and Management of Invasive Plants in Samboja Research Forest, Kalimantan Timur)

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Bina Swasta Sitepu
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Forest Succession ◽  
Acacia Mangium ◽  
Forest Area ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Invasive Plant Species

Historically, and based on the latest conditions, Samboja Research Forest has a fairly high vulnerability to the presence of invasive species that can interfere with ecosystem stability and forest succession. However, data collection and risk assessment of invasive species have not been conducted in the forest area. The study was carried out to support the management of Samboja Research Forest, particularly in controlling invasive species. The study was conducted with exploration techniques in open areas, secondary forests, and primary forests. The density and frequency data of invasive plants were obtained using random plots in secondary and primary forest areas. The results showed the presence of 52 invasive plant species in the Samboja Research Forest area with dominance by shrubs and herbs. Based on plants distribution and density, four crucial invasive plant species in Samboja Research Forest were identified, namely: Acacia mangium, Spathodea campanulata, Miconia crenata, and Piper aduncum. The management of invasive species was carried out in two stages, short term, through manual weeding, and in the long term, with the prevention, eradication, and periodic risk assessment.Keywords: invasive alien species, Kalimantan, eradication, Spathodea campanulata

scholarly journals Distribution of selected invasive plant species in the Romensko-Poltavsky Geobotanical District (Ukraine)

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetyana S. Dvirna
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Invasive Plant Species

Abstract The paper presents the distribution of 10 selected invasive plant species in Ukraine. The studied taxa comprised 8 invasive and 2 potentially invasive species. All species were characterized in phytogeographical, biological and ecological terms. Their distribution was shown on grid maps.

scholarly journals Green Pioneers: Raising awareness of invasive plants for all ages

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Bogaerts ◽  
Sofie De Smedt ◽  
Sofie Meeus ◽  
Quentin Groom
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Botanic Garden

When researchers and managers are asked to rank the issues that prevent adequate control of invasive species, lack of public awareness is at the top of the list (Dehnen‐Schmutz et al. 2018). It is therefore imperative to raise the general public's awareness of the potential risks of introducing alien species into the wild. Green Pioneers, a citizen science project funded by the Flemish Government, (Fig. 1) aims to address this issue in Belgium, across age groups. The project aims to Create awareness on invasive species, highlighting how invasions can be avoided and how to mitigate their impact. Improve communication between citizens and scientists on conservation and invasive plant species. Augment the quality and quantity of data on invasive species. Create awareness on invasive species, highlighting how invasions can be avoided and how to mitigate their impact. Improve communication between citizens and scientists on conservation and invasive plant species. Augment the quality and quantity of data on invasive species. The project is developing three kinds of activity, specifically to attract a broad demographic: - 'Young Pioneers', by developing tools for teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathemathics for school children from 12-15 years old. - 'Online Pioneers', through our online citizen science platform DoeDat.be, by helping with the transcription of label information on herbarium specimens, - and 'Visiteers', by inviting companies and working age people to help us in the collection and to inform them about invasive species. Finally, we will be organizing a BioBlitz in spring 2020 at Meise Botanic Garden where we will celebrate plants and all our Green Pioneers, while also spreading the message of invasive plant awareness. During our 48 hour BioBlitz, scientists, volunteers and citizens are workig together to survey the biodiversity of our Botanic Garden. Ultimately, Green Pioneers aim to encourage recording of alien species by amateur botanists and create a generation of responsible gardeners who understand the consequences of releasing invasive alien plants into the wild.

scholarly journals Assessing distribution changes of selected native and alien invasive plant species under changing climatic conditions in Nyeri County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius Maina Waititu ◽  
Charles Ndegwa Mundia ◽  
Arthur W Sichangi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
The Other ◽  
Range Shift ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Species Management ◽  
Study Species

AbstractChanges in climatic conditions increases the risks of native and alien taxa expanding in geographical range and causing habitat transformations. The role of climate change in enhancing bio-invasions in local natural environments need to be assessed to guide on effective species management policy formulations. In this present study, we used species presence records, predictor variables and an ensemble of General Circulation Models data to predict suitable ecological niches for five of the selected invasive plant species within Nyeri County, Kenya. We predicted species distributions under RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5 emission scenarios for the years 2050 and 2070. We analysed species distribution changes to identify invasive species requiring immediate management action. Our analysis indicated that three of the five study species were suitable in ~50% of the study area while the other two were suitable in ~30% under the current climate. Lantana camara L. and Solanum campylacanthum Hochst. ex A. Rich species would experience the largest range shift distance of ~6 – 10km and the largest habitat gain of ~12 – 33% in the future. Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston, Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. and Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby species on the other hand would have a decline in habitat range under future climate change scenarios. Although, S. didymobotrya is considered a native species, it would lose half of its current suitable habitat in the future. Range shift analysis showed all study species would generally shift to the north west direction or towards the Aberdare ranges. From this study we conclude that invasive species management programs for smaller geographical areas ought to consider projecting species distributions under climate change scenarios to identify areas with high possible biodiversity changes. This would be important to conservationists when prioritizing management actions of invasive species in the region where data on invasive species is still limited.

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