Adjusting the lens of invasion biology to focus on the impacts of climate-driven range shifts

Authors:

Piper Wallingford

Publications

Toni Lyn Morelli

Profile Publications

Jenica Allen

Publications

Evelyn Beaury

Profile Publications

Dana Blumenthal

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Bethany Bradley

Profile Publications

Jeffrey Dukes

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Regan Early

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Emily Fusco

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Deborah Goldberg

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Inés Ibáñez

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Brittany Laginhas

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Montserrat Vilà

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Cascade Sorte

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+9 more

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Year of Publication:

2020

Publisher:

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Secondary Title:

Nature Climate Change

ISSN:

1758-678X, 1758-6798

DOI:

10.1038/s41558-020-0768-2

Issue:

Pages:

398-405

Volume:

Year:

2020

Abstract

As Earth’s climate rapidly changes, species range shifts are considered key to species persistence. However, some range-shifting species will alter community structure and ecosystem processes. By adapting existing invasion risk assessment frameworks, we can identify characteristics shared with high-impact introductions and thus predict potential impacts. There are fundamental differences between introduced and range-shifting species, primarily shared evolutionary histories between range shifters and their new community. Nevertheless, impacts can occur via analogous mechanisms, such as wide dispersal, community disturbance and low biotic resistance. As ranges shift in response to climate change, we have an opportunity to develop plans to facilitate advantageous movements and limit those that are problematic.

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Regional Effort on Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC) Management Increasing the resilience and resistance of climate-vulnerable northeastern species and ecosystems