Biological Invasions and Ecosystem Properties: Can Species Make a Difference?

Vitousek, Peter M.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4612-4988-7_10

Cited by 248 publications

(184 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…In these studies, all except one species (Acacia dealbata, for which data were collected from only one population) show higher levels of variation than expected for species with similar life history traits (Table 4). It should also be noted that all of these species except Eucalyptus obliqua are nitrogen fixers, a trait that is associated with the ability to invade new ranges rapidly (Vitousek, 1986). Rapid invasion through only a few introduction events may result in lower levels of genetic variability in the new range, but we lack historical confirmation of this scenario for L. japonica.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Comparison of allozyme variability in a native and an introduced species of Lonicera

1995

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Levels of allozyme variation are compared between a diploid invasive plant species, Lonicera japonica Thunb. (2n = 18) and its polyploid native congener, Lonicera sempervirens L. (2 n =36). Both are woody perennials and were sampled within the native range of L. sempervirens in the south-eastern United States where L. japonica has been an invader since the late 19th century. Genetic structure and allozyme diversity were determined for nine and ten populations of L.sempervirens and L. japonica, respectively. Genetic variation within L. japonica is similar to that in other species with similar life history traits (per cent polymorphic loci, P =75 per cent, mean alleles per polymorphic locus, A = 2.28, and total genetic diversity, H =0.216); L. sempervirens has even higher genetic variation than L. japonica (P5 =91 per cent, A = 2.60 and H5 = 0.28 3).Although both species have high levels of genetic diversity, this may be less important than their life history traits to their success in early successful habitats. However, establishment of a relationship between success in naturalization for woody perennials and levels of genetic diversity is hampered by the paucity of comparable records for other native: alien congeneric pairs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Comparison of allozyme variability in a native and an introduced species of Lonicera

1995

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“…Indeed, invasion of exotic species is a primary threat to native ecosystems, and exotic species can transform such systems dramatically (Vitousek 1986). While a ''pristine'' ecosystem free of exotic species may be a goal of land managers, this goal is often impossible to attain and limited resources must be allocated to control only those exotic species that are most damaging (Myers and others 2000).…”

Section: Beavers Songbirds Tamarisk and Southern California Riparimentioning

confidence: 99%

Management by Assertion: Beavers and Songbirds at Lake Skinner (Riverside County, California)

Longcore¹,

Rich²,

Müller-Schwarze³

2007

Environmental Management

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Management of ecological reserve lands should rely on the best available science to achieve the goal of biodiversity conservation. ''Adaptive Resource Management'' is the current template to ensure that management decisions are reasoned and that decisions increase understanding of the system being managed. In systems with little human disturbance, certain management decisions are clear; steps to protect native species usually include the removal of invasive species. In highly modified systems, however, appropriate management steps to conserve biodiversity are not as readily evident. Managers must, more than ever, rely upon the development and testing of hypotheses to make rational management decisions. We present a case study of modern reserve management wherein beavers (Castor canadensis) were suspected of destroying habitat for endangered songbirds (least Bell's vireo, Vireo bellii pusillus, and southwestern willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii extimus) and for promoting the invasion of an exotic plant (tamarisk, Tamarix spp.) at an artificial reservoir in southern California. This case study documents the consequences of failing to follow the process of Adaptive Resource Management. Managers made decisions that were unsupported by the scientific literature, and actions taken were likely counterproductive. The opportunity to increase knowledge of the ecosystem was lost. Uninformed management decisions, essentially ''management by assertion,'' undermine the longterm prospects for biodiversity conservation.

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“…Others can alter natural processes such as nutrient cycling, sometimes facilitating the invasion of other non-native species (Vitousek 1986, Vitousek andWalker 1989).…”

Section: Andropogon Virginicus S C H I Z a C H Y R I U M C O N D E Nmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Hawaiian Island Environment

Shlisky¹

2000

Rangelands

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Biological Invasions and Ecosystem Properties: Can Species Make a Difference?

Cited by 248 publications

References 63 publications

Comparison of allozyme variability in a native and an introduced species of Lonicera

Comparison of allozyme variability in a native and an introduced species of Lonicera

Management by Assertion: Beavers and Songbirds at Lake Skinner (Riverside County, California)

The Hawaiian Island Environment

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