Alien species in a warmer world: risks and opportunities

Alien species in a warmer world: risks and opportunities

2009 | Gian-Reto Walther, Alain Roques, Philip E. Hulme, Martin T. Sykes, Petr Pyšek, Ingolf Kühn, Martin Zobel and members of the ALARM Climate Change – Biological Invasions Working Group
Climate change and biological invasions are key factors affecting global biodiversity. This study highlights how global warming has enabled alien species to expand into regions where they previously could not survive and reproduce. Climate change influences biological invasions by altering species' ranges, community structures, and ecosystem functions. Alien species may become more competitive under new conditions, leading to potential ecosystem changes. The study reviews climate-mediated biological invasions of plants, invertebrates, fishes, and birds, emphasizing the role of alien species in a dynamic context of shifting ranges and communities. Climate change can facilitate introductions by creating favorable conditions for species to survive and reproduce. Warmer temperatures may also increase dispersal and development rates of invasive species. The study also discusses the challenges of managing invasive species in a changing climate, noting that some species may become necessary for ecosystem function. Climate change blurs the distinction between native and alien species, complicating management strategies. The study underscores the need for integrated approaches to manage invasive species, considering both direct and indirect effects of climate change. It also highlights the importance of research on climate-induced invasions, particularly in underrepresented regions. The study concludes that climate change poses complex challenges for biodiversity management, requiring comprehensive evaluation of habitat conditions and adaptive strategies.Climate change and biological invasions are key factors affecting global biodiversity. This study highlights how global warming has enabled alien species to expand into regions where they previously could not survive and reproduce. Climate change influences biological invasions by altering species' ranges, community structures, and ecosystem functions. Alien species may become more competitive under new conditions, leading to potential ecosystem changes. The study reviews climate-mediated biological invasions of plants, invertebrates, fishes, and birds, emphasizing the role of alien species in a dynamic context of shifting ranges and communities. Climate change can facilitate introductions by creating favorable conditions for species to survive and reproduce. Warmer temperatures may also increase dispersal and development rates of invasive species. The study also discusses the challenges of managing invasive species in a changing climate, noting that some species may become necessary for ecosystem function. Climate change blurs the distinction between native and alien species, complicating management strategies. The study underscores the need for integrated approaches to manage invasive species, considering both direct and indirect effects of climate change. It also highlights the importance of research on climate-induced invasions, particularly in underrepresented regions. The study concludes that climate change poses complex challenges for biodiversity management, requiring comprehensive evaluation of habitat conditions and adaptive strategies.
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