Integrative invasion science : model systems, multi-site studies, focused meta-analysis and invasion syndromes
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley Online Library
Abstract
Invasion science is a very active subdiscipline of ecology. However, some scientists contend that
theoretical integration has been limited and that predictive power remains weak. This paper,
focusing on plants, proposes a new multi-pronged research strategy that builds on recent
advances in invasion science. More intensive studies on particular model organisms and
ecosystems are needed to improve our understanding of the full suite of interacting factors that
influence invasions (‘model system research’). At the same time, comparative studies across
many study systems are essential for unravelling the context-dependencies of insights that
emerge from particular studies (‘multi-site studies’); and quantitative synthesis based on large
datasets should be constrained to well-defined theoretical domains (‘focused meta-analysis’).
We also suggest ways for better integration of information about species biology and ecosystem
characteristics (‘invasion syndromes’).We expect that a resulting theory of invasions will need to
be conceived as a somewhat heterogeneous conglomerate of elements of varying generality and
predictive power: laws that apply to well-specified domains, general concepts and theoretical
frameworks that can guide thinking in research and management, and in-depth knowledge
about the drivers of particular invasions.
Description
CITATION: Kueffer, C., Pysek, P. & Richardson, D. M. 2013. Integrative invasion science : model systems, multi-site studies, focused meta-analysis and invasion syndromes. New Phytologist, 200:615–633, doi:10.1111/nph.12415.
The original publication is available at https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
The original publication is available at https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Keywords
Biological invasions, Alien plants
Citation
Kueffer, C., Pysek, P. & Richardson, D. M. 2013. Integrative invasion science : model systems, multi-site studies, focused meta-analysis and invasion syndromes. New Phytologist, 200:615–633, doi:10.1111/nph.12415.