Evolution greatly impacts the outcomes of biological invasions. In our review, we review such evolutionary processes, with an emphasis on tree invasions, and place them in the context of a unified framework for biological invasions. The processes and mechanisms described are pre-introduction evolutionary history, sampling effect, founder effect, genotype-by-environment interactions, admixture, hybridization, polyploidization, rapid evolution, epigenetics, and second-genomes. By understanding the mechanisms underlying invasion success, researchers will be better equipped to predict, understand, and manage biological invasions.

Long-term seed persistence in the soil, broad germination requirements (temperature and light conditions) and the capacity to survive in a wide range of light intensity favours Casuarina equisetifolia naturalization. This species exhibited high germination plasticity, although young plants showed low plasticity. The positive effect of phenotypic integration on plastic expression in the shade shows that in stressful environments traits that show greater phenotypic plasticity values may have significant phenotypic correlations with other characters. However, C. equisetifolia did not tolerate water stress and deep shade, which limit its potential to become naturalized on sandy coastal plain.

The interplay between the invasion of alien plant species and re-colonization of native plant species is important for conservation. Sandy coastal plains (called restinga in Brazil) were used as a model system to explore the abiotic barriers that potentially limit the initial establishment of alien and native woody plants in invaded and non-invaded areas. The study tested the influence of light availability, soil type and litter layer on recruitment of a wind-dispersed alien tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) and two birddispersed native shrubs under a Casuarina stand and in the preserved restinga. The effect of soil type and the physical and allelopathic effects of Casuarina litter on seedling emergence of the three species were also evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Low dispersal associated with low seedling emergence and zero survival of young plants (mainly due to microhabitat conditions) apparently prevents the spread of Casuarina in the preserved restinga. The main cause of low recruitment of native species in the Casuarina stand was the physical barrier of the litter. However, if seeds overcome this physical barrier, the presence of litter improves seedling emergence and survival of young plants, mainly because the litter increases soil moisture. Sowing seeds below litter and planting young plants of native shrubs on litter can improve the re-colonization of native plants in invaded areas. In conclusion, Casuarina invasion on sandy coastal plains is strongly limited by abiotic barriers, but anthropogenic disturbances are altering the key processes that naturally make the restinga resistant to invasion.

No presente estudo foram avaliados o consumo, a remoção e a dispersão secundária de sementes de Mucuna urens (Fabaceae - Faboideae) em um fragmento de Floresta Atlântica, no Parque Municipal da Lagoa do Peri, Florianópolis, SC. O padrão biométrico e o consumo por invertebrados foram avaliados em 100 sementes. A remoção e a dispersão secundária foram avaliadas em 120 e 25 sementes, respectivamente. A média do comprimento, largura e massa das sementes foi de 2,87±0,19 cm, 2,83±0,23 cm e 5,04±1,60 g, respectivamente, e 41% estavam consumidas por besouros Curculionidae, Scolytinae. Não houve relação do comprimento e da largura das sementes consumidas e não consumidas, sendo a massa das consumidas significativamente menor do que as não consumidas, devido aos escolitíneos se alimentarem do cotilédone. As cutias (Dasyprocta azarae) removeram 74,16% (n = 89) das sementes. Esse roedor dispersou 48% e enterrou 36% das sementes, a uma distância média de 8,06 m (± 7,46 m), variando de 1,00 a 35,90 m. A dispersão secundária e o estocamento das sementes de M. urens por cutias diminui a probabilidade de predação por outros vertebrados e invertebrados e aumenta as chances de ocorrer a germinação em sítios favoráveis, ajudando na propagação da espécie.