Ecological impacts of invasive alien plants: a meta-analysis of their effects on species, communities and ecosystems

0365131 - BÚ 2012 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Vila, M. - Espinar, J. L. - Hejda, Martin - Hulme, P. E. - Jarošík, Vojtěch - Maron, J. L. - Pergl, Jan - Schaffner, U. - Sun, Y. - Pyšek, Petr
Ecological impacts of invasive alien plants: a meta-analysis of their effects on species, communities and ecosystems.
Ecology Letters. Roč. 14, č. 7 (2011), s. 702-708. ISSN 1461-023X. E-ISSN 1461-0248
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT LC06073; GA ČR GA206/09/0563
Grant - others:European Comission(XE) 7E09072-(KBBE-212827)
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60050516
Keywords : biological invasions * impact * organisational level
Subject RIV: EF - Botanics
Impact factor: 17.557, year: 2011

A global meta-analysis of 1041 field studies that in total describe the impacts of 135 alien plant taxa on resident species, communities and ecosystems revealed that alien plants had a significant effect in 11 of 24 different types of impact assessed. The magnitude and direction of the impact varied both within and between different types of impact. On average, abundance and diversity of the resident species decreased in invaded sites, whereas primary production and several ecosystem processes were enhanced. Overall, alien species impacts are heterogeneous and not unidirectional even within particular impact types. Our analysis also reveals that by the time changes in nutrient cycling are detected, major impacts on plant species and communities are likely to have already occurred.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0200446