Logo image
Back
Does non‐native diversity mirror Earth's biodiversity?
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Does non‐native diversity mirror Earth's biodiversity?

Elizabeta Briski, Syrmalenia G. Kotronaki, Ross N. Cuthbert, Alejandro Bortolus, Marnie L. Campbell, Jaimie T. A. Dick, Paul Fofonoff, Bella S. Galil, Chad L. Hewitt, Julie L. Lockwood, …
Global ecology and biogeography, Vol.33(1), pp.48-62
2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13781
pdf
Published 2.81 MBDownloadView
Published (Version of Record)CC BY-NC V4.0,  Open Access

Abstract

alien species class taxonomic level family taxonomic level invasive species non-indigenousspecies phylum taxonomic level
Aim Human activities have introduced numerous non-native species (NNS) worldwide. Understanding and predicting large-scale NNS establishment patterns remain fundamental scientific challenges. Here, we evaluate if NNS composition represents a proportional subset of the total species pool available to invade (i.e. total global biodiversity), or, conversely, certain taxa are disproportionately pre-disposed to establish in non-native areas. Location Global. Time period Present day. Major taxa studied Global diversity. Methods We compiled one of the most comprehensive global databases of NNS (36,822 established species) to determine if NNS diversity is a representative proportional subset of global biodiversity. Results Our study revealed that, while NNS diversity mirrors global biodiversity to a certain extent, due to significant deviance from the null model it is not always a representative proportional subset of global biodiversity. The strength of global biodiversity as a predictor depended on the taxonomic scale, with successive lower taxonomic levels less predictive than the one above it. Consequently, on average, 58%, 42% and 28% of variability in NNS numbers were explained by global biodiversity for phylum, class and family respectively. Moreover, global biodiversity was a similarly strong explanatory variable for NNS diversity among regions, but not habitats (i.e. terrestrial, freshwater and marine), where it better predicted NNS diversity for terrestrial than for freshwater and marine habitats. Freshwater and marine habitats were also greatly understudied relative to invasions in the terrestrial habitats. Over-represented NNS relative to global biodiversity tended to be those intentionally introduced and/or ‘hitchhikers’ associated with deliberate introductions. Finally, randomness is likely an important factor in the establishment success of NNS. Main conclusions Besides global biodiversity, other important explanatory variables for large-scale patterns of NNS diversity likely include propagule and colonization pressures, environmental similarity between native and non-native regions, biased selection of intentionally introduced species and disparate research efforts of habitats and taxa.

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#14 Life Below Water
#15 Life on Land

Source: InCites

Metrics

15 File views/ downloads
65 Record Views
27 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.40 Forestry
3.40.86 Plant Communities
Web Of Science research areas
Ecology
Geography, Physical
ESI research areas
Environment/Ecology
Logo image