In recent years there has been a growing interest in the use of functional responses (FRs) as a tool in invasion ecology. A workshop was held that focussed on the current applications of FRs and their future use in understanding, determining and predicting impact of non-native species.
When we consider how invasive alien species affect native species, we mainly think of alien predators preying on native species. However, there are examples of native species that prey on alien species - which leads ecologists to the question “what are the effects of alien prey on predatory-prey relationships?”
The rates at which invasive species invade new areas are increasing now more than ever. As more invasive species are introduced around the globe, many invaders co-exist in the same areas.
Global biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. Causes of these declines include the destruction of natural habitats as a result of human development, and the introduction of non-native species.
The new approach of ‘sustainable intensification’ in the livestock industry aims to increase food production from existing farmland while minimising pressure on the environment. While beneficial in many respects, this approach poses a major environmental risk, since many newly developed pasture plants pose a high risk of becoming invasive.
