Key message The above-and belowground impacts due to Acacia invasions have been described in detail over the last 25 years. Future research should focus on the early detection and prevention of new Acacia introductions and on a cost-effective and sustainable management of the novel ecosystems resulting from invasions.• Context Invasive alien plants (IAPs) strongly alter ecosystems reducing biodiversity, modifying ecosystem services and increasing negative impacts at social and economic level. Among invasive taxa, Acacia is a highly problematic genus worldwide. In fact, almost 500 papers have been published on several aspects of Acacia invasions for the last 25 years.• Aims We aim at reviewing the current knowledge on the consequences of the invasion by Acacia genus in Mediterranean ecosystems. We also collect and propose different approaches for the management and recovery of invaded areas and suggest future perspectives on Acacia research. • Methods We compile, summarise and discuss recent findings on physicochemical, ecological, microbiological and socioeconomic aspects of invasion related to Australian acacias (Acacia dealbata, Acacia longifolia, Acacia mearnsii, Acacia saligna and Acacia melanoxylon) focusing on Mediterranean areas.• Results Acacia invasion generally entails soil physicochemical alterations and changes in microbial function and structure. Consequences such as the decreased biodiversity, altered ecosystem structure, larger seed banks dominated by invasive species, new biotrophic relationships or alterations in water availability and fire regimes suggest that acacias are locally creating novel ecosystems.• Conclusions Forecasting invasions, modelling and managing ecosystems dominated by acacias are challenging tasks that should be addressed in the future, since climatic conditions and intensification in land uses are increasing the likelihood of Acacia invasions in Mediterranean areas. Unsuccessful management actions suggest that restoration should be meticulously monitored, but the magnitude of invasion or the inconsistency of economic investment indicate that eradication is often unfeasible. Alternatively, novel integrative and cost-effective solutions including the collaboration of society, politicians and stakeholders are necessary to prevent new introductions and achieve sustainable control of acacias. There is a growing interest in applied research on the valorisation or novel uses for acacias and their residues that result in economic benefits.

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Isotopic niche overlap between the invasive leiothrix and potential native competitors. We analysed niche overlap between the red-billed leiothrix Leiothrix lutea, a spreading exotic invasive bird, and the European robin Erithacus rubecula and the blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, similar native species, which are commonly considered as potential competitors in Mediterranean forests. We analyzed stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) from feathers of birds sampled in several locations within the Collserola mountain range (Barcelona, NE Spain) where leiothrix have strongly increased their numbers in the last decade and quantified niche overlap with nicheROVER. Blackcap individuals showed the lowest probability to be found in the isotopic niche of the other two species (around 60 %), while leiothrix and robins showed a high probability to share the same isotopic niche (82 %). Our results stress that competition for resources is potentially high and the species shared marked niche asymmetries, which may have implications for community dynamics in the long term.

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