Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1093/biosci/biy057
Title (Primary) Which taxa are alien? Criteria, applications, and uncertainties
Author Essl, F.; Bacher, S.; Genovesi, P.; Hulme, P.E.; Jeschke, J.M.; Katsanevakis, S.; Kowarik, I.; Kühn, I. ORCID logo ; Pyšek, P.; Rabitsch, W.; Schindler, S.; van Kleunen, M.; Vilà, M.; Wilson, J.R.U.; Richardson, D.M.
Source Titel BioScience
Year 2018
Department BZF; iDiv
Volume 68
Issue 7
Page From 496
Page To 509
Language englisch
Supplements https://oup.silverchair-cdn.com/oup/backfile/Content_public/Journal/bioscience/68/7/10.1093_biosci_biy057/2/biy057_supplemental_files.docx?Expires=1582886016&Signature=UmO7L6DfSkBoWd5~BERkPeNhtmPokNSl6rEoDjEVuys8vkStBEZd0X-ov7kwVTq69-mxDkzARAMwaUzbj~8n1tjdZzOPTKmPWk0MVEcUu55CcIuNZ~uC9CUQMSXI-LuO3RzufFz27AfaR9uejm-0ddtNv6QbEx2fzBGskav6XFaWxVyiEgg-nerYUFZYTEv265SNmhC9TWzkEmXH1a4mUvrfhgm~DwPeO8cVTBdZ~MMByvsswEZuM7y5wVSJJnEmiuggYmYnq3QUe9f0WUy7GF8Wiqfjk7UZwQ5p~vws1BqLcis0jlxFkKU4sHn6gu9H-Tk-nOga0I-zvkZ0A5GMxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIE5G5CRDK6RD3PGA
Keywords biogeography; biological invasions; cryptogenic; distribution range; thresholds
Abstract Human activities such as the transport of species to new regions and modifications of the environment are increasingly reshaping the distribution of biota. Accordingly, developing robust, repeatable, and consistent definitions of alien species that serve scientific and policy purposes has become of prime importance. We provide a set of classification criteria that are widely applicable across taxa and realms and offer guidance on their use in practice. The criteria focus on (a) acknowledging the role of assessment uncertainty, (b) incorporating time since introduction, (c) considering infraspecific taxonomic ranks, and (d) differentiating between alien species whose survival depends on explicit human assistance from those that survive without such assistance. Furthermore, we make recommendations for reducing assessment uncertainty, suggest thresholds for species assessment, and develop an assessment scheme. We illustrate the application of the assessment criteria with case studies. Finally, the implications for alien species management, policy, and research are discussed.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=20637
Essl, F., Bacher, S., Genovesi, P., Hulme, P.E., Jeschke, J.M., Katsanevakis, S., Kowarik, I., Kühn, I., Pyšek, P., Rabitsch, W., Schindler, S., van Kleunen, M., Vilà, M., Wilson, J.R.U., Richardson, D.M. (2018):
Which taxa are alien? Criteria, applications, and uncertainties
Bioscience 68 (7), 496 - 509 10.1093/biosci/biy057