Urban evolution of invasive species

Abstract

Urban areas can drive rapid evolution of species and are hotspots for entry and establishment of invasive species, but it is unclear how urban evolution is impacting the process and risk of invasion by non‐native species. Using a synthesis of current research as a basis, we contend that urban evolution of non‐native species can enhance invader establishment, spread, and ecological impact, which can facilitate invader success under future global change conditions. In addition, we highlight that ecological opportunity in urban areas is a potentially important but unexplored mechanism that could accelerate invader evolution. Urban evolution of invaders is a critical new area of research that could reveal novel pathways and mechanisms in the invasion process, and improve predictions and management of invasive species around the world.

Potential local adaptation in populations of invasive reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) across an urbanization gradient

“…Adaptation to one urban environment should increase the likelihood of success in other urban systems, as urbanization tends to produce biologically similar environments (McKinney, 2006 ). Therefore, urban evolved traits may not only help reed canary grass invade neighboring nonurban habitats, but also increase its likelihood of proliferating in urban systems across the landscape (Borden & Flory, 2021 ). Additionally, urbanized populations of invasive species may be better prepared than native species to tolerate stress from global change (Borden & Flory, 2021 ).…”

“…Therefore, urban evolved traits may not only help reed canary grass invade neighboring nonurban habitats, but also increase its likelihood of proliferating in urban systems across the landscape (Borden & Flory, 2021 ). Additionally, urbanized populations of invasive species may be better prepared than native species to tolerate stress from global change (Borden & Flory, 2021 ). Our study documents trait variability among populations consistent with these expectations, suggesting that further research regarding evolved responses to urbanization is clearly warranted.…”

“…Therefore, urban evolved traits may not only help reed canary grass invade neighboring nonurban habitats, but also increase its likelihood of proliferating in urban systems across the landscape (Borden & Flory, 2021). Additionally, urbanized populations of invasive species may be better prepared than native species to tolerate stress from global change (Borden & Flory, 2021).…”

“…Humans also shape their biotic environments, favoring some species, either intentionally or unintentionally, that can tolerate these novel selective pressures and disfavoring others. Recent studies have begun to provide evidence that urban selective regimes are important drivers of natural selection (Borden & Flory, 2021 ; Lambrecht et al., 2016 ; Yakub & Tiffin, 2017 ). As global human impacts accelerate, it is increasingly important to understand how anthropogenic forces shape species evolution.…”

“…Adaptive genetic diversity in introduced populations may thus exceed that in native range populations (Dlugosch et al., 2015 ), priming these species for potential responses to novel selective pressures and thus local adaptation in the introduced range (Dlugosch & Parker, 2008 ; Hodgins et al., 2018 ). In fact, introduced species now provide some of our most compelling examples of contemporary evolution (Borden & Flory, 2021 ; Colautti & Lau, 2015 ).…”