The human transport of species into new regions where they often become permanent additions to the fauna and flora has become a defining feature of our epoch, the Anthropocene.
Genetic diversity has long been considered a cornerstone of biological invasions. It is generally assumed that populations of an invasive alien species will have lower genetic diversity in the new invaded area when compared to populations in the native range.
The growth of our native Sugarbush (Protea repens) is not negatively affected by the legacy of altered soil chemistry after the clearing of invasive Port Jackson (Acacia saligna).
What happens when you take a concept developed to describe elements of ecology and apply it to complex social-ecological phenomena involving politics, economics, culture, and more?
As conflict of interests around alien species can prevent the success of management actions, an international team of researchers and managers, including C·I·B researchers, have recently developed a 12-step framework for engaging stakeholders on the management of alien species.