How do invasive species travel to and through urban environments?
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
Globalisation has resulted in the movement
of organisms outside their natural range, often with negative ecological and economic consequences. As cities are hubs of anthropogenic activities, with both highly transformed and disturbed environments,
these areas are often the first point of entry for alien species. We compiled a global database of cities with more than one million inhabitants that data had on alien species occurrence. We then identified the most prominent pathways of introduction and vectors of spread of alien species in these cities. Most species were intentionally introduced to cities and were released or escaped from confinement. The majority
of alien species then spread within cities through natural means (primarily unaided dispersal). Pathway prominence varied across the taxonomic groups of alien species: the most prominent pathway for plants and vertebrates was the escape pathway; for invertebrates the stowaway and contaminant pathways were most likely to facilitate introductions. For some organisms, pathway prominence varied with the geographical and climatic characteristics of the city. The characteristics of the cities also influenced the prominence of vectors of spread for alien species. Preventing the natural spread of alien species within
cities, and into adjacent natural environments will be, at best, difficult. To prevent invasions, both the intentional and unintentional introduction of potentially
harmful alien species to cities must be prevented. The pathways of introduction and vectors of spread identified here should be prioritised for management.
Description
Keywords
Biological invasions, Pathways of introduction, Prioritisation, Urban invasions, Vectors of spread
Citation
Padayachee, A.L.; Irlich, U.M.; Faulkner, K.T.; Gaertner, M.; Proches, S.; Wilson, J.R.U.; Rouget, M. (2017) How do invasive species travel to and through urban environments? Biological Invasions, 19(12): 3557-3570