Invasion Biology: Specific Problems and Possible Solutions

Franck Courchamp; Alice Fournier; Céline Bellard; Cleo Bertelsmeier; Elsa Bonnaud; Jonathan M Jeschke; James C Russell

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2016.11.001

Invasion Biology: Specific Problems and Possible Solutions

Trends Ecol Evol. 2017 Jan;32(1):13-22. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2016.11.001. Epub 2016 Nov 23.

Authors

Franck Courchamp¹, Alice Fournier², Céline Bellard³, Cleo Bertelsmeier⁴, Elsa Bonnaud², Jonathan M Jeschke⁵, James C Russell⁶

Affiliations

¹ Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France. Electronic address: franck.courchamp@u-psud.fr.
² Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France.
³ Department of Genetics, Evolution, and Environment, Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Darwin Building, University College London (UCL), Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
⁴ Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, Université de Lausanne (UNIL)-Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
⁵ Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany; Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Strasse 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Altensteinstrasse 34, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
⁶ Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.

PMID: 27889080
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2016.11.001

Abstract

Biological invasions have been unambiguously shown to be one of the major global causes of biodiversity loss. Despite the magnitude of this threat and recent scientific advances, this field remains a regular target of criticism - from outright deniers of the threat to scientists questioning the utility of the discipline. This unique situation, combining internal strife and an unaware society, greatly hinders the progress of invasion biology. It is crucial to identify the specificities of this discipline that lead to such difficulties. We outline here 24 specificities and problems of this discipline and categorize them into four groups: understanding, alerting, supporting, and implementing the issues associated with invasive alien species, and we offer solutions to tackle these problems and push the field forward.

Keywords: biological invasions; citizen involvement; decision making; engaging with the public; science communication; science–society interface.

MeSH terms

Biodiversity*
Introduced Species