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Macro-invasion-ecology - toward understanding the global flows and distribution of alien species

Applicant Dr. Hanno Seebens
Subject Area Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions
Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems
Term from 2015 to 2019
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 281619538
 
Final Report Year 2019

Final Report Abstract

During the last centuries, thousands of species have been introduced by humans to regions outside their native range. These alien species may become permanent additions to local floras and faunas, which might have severe consequences for native species or human society and economy. Although this process of so-called biological invasions has received rising attention during the last years, we still face fundamental research gaps, particularly in the prediction of alien species dynamics. This project aimed at closing knowledge gaps by analysing spatial dynamics of alien species spread and the associated drivers, by formulating models predicting these dynamics and by investigating the global networks of spread. As an important first step, I quantified the flows of species spreading from native and to alien ranges for various taxonomic groups including vascular plants, mammals, birds, molluscs, insects and spiders, which I analysed. After the submission of the proposal for this project, a new research avenue emerged, which proved to be an essential extension of the proposed work: I led a side project about temporal dynamics of biological invasions during the last centuries and in collaboration with many other scientists established the first database of temporal dynamics of biological invasions including >45.000 first records of >17.000 alien species in a country or on an island. Combining the spatial flows of spread with the temporal component allowed me to generate temporal networks of alien species flows and to get a more complete picture of how past dynamics of spread and establishment led to the distribution of alien species observed today. In subsequent analyses, I revealed important insights into the dynamics of spread and establishment of alien species, the dynamics of the underlying drivers including the role of pools of candidate species in the native range. In addition, I tested various model approaches to simulate the spread and establishment of alien species ranging from simple resampling processes, non-linear statistical approaches to predictive modelling and ordinary differential equation models. I obtained important insights in modelling techniques and the understanding of biological invasions over the last centuries. Although not all originally proposed goals could be accomplished, the project revealed a number of important achievements. My work has been regularly featured in the academic and public media with contributions in e.g. Science (News), Nature (Research Highlights), BBC, IUCN E-Bulletin, Zeit online, Spiegel online, BILD with personal contributions in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. In addition, I was invited to live TV and radio interviews, radio features at HR Info and SWR2 and podium discussions and public talks. These achievements show that the project was a great success and help considerably to increase my international standing as an independent researcher. It also enabled me to apply for three other grants, of which two have been approved, while the third one is still pending.

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