Herbarium records reveal multiple phases in the relationship between minimum residence time and invasion ranges of alien plant species

Abstract

Societal Impact Statement Plant invasions threaten many native species and change the functioning of ecosystems worldwide. This study finds that the invasion processes of multiple species include lag, acceleration and stable phases. This three‐phase relationship between minimum residence times (the time since the alien species was first recorded) and invasion ranges should be considered when modelling species invasion risks in the future, and we should control the population sizes of these species before they reach a tipping point to minimise the potential environmental impacts. This research also highlights the importance of natural history collections in helping us to understand invasion dynamics.

Topics & Concepts