This paper, a collaborative work of an international team of 29 invasion scientists from 23 institutions, was led by former C\u00b7I\u00b7B post-doc Ana Novoa and co-authored by a cohort of C\u00b7I\u00b7B researchers (see list of authors below). The team revised the definition of an invasion syndrome as \u201cA combination of pathways, alien species traits, and characteristics of the recipient ecosystem which collectively result in predictable dynamics and impacts, and that can be managed effectively using specific policy and management actions\u201d. This new definition builds on the early definition by Kueffer et al. (2013) in several key aspects. For example, it is explicitly designed to improve management efficacy, and therefore it considers the human dimensions of invasions and the actions that can be used to manage their impacts or to prevent them from happening in the first place.<\/p>\n
To show the utility of the invasion syndromes approach, the authors discuss several examples of invasion syndromes, including cacti with clonal fragmentation in arid ecosystems, small aquatic organisms introduced through ballast water in harbours, tree-feeding insects, large ranid frogs with frequent secondary transfers, piscivorous freshwater fishes, plant invasions in high-elevation areas, and tall-statured grasses. They also propose a systematic method for identifying and delimiting further invasion syndromes.<\/p>\n
The concept of invasion syndromes remains to be tested empirically. \u201cHowever, although not free of limitations, a number of analytical approaches could be used on the currently available data to quantitatively identify invasion syndromes,\u201d<\/em> says Ana Novoa. For example, the authors propose to explore the use of machine learning techniques, unsupervised clustering techniques such as hierarchical clustering or k-means clustering, and supervised classification techniques such as Random Forest, Support Vector Machines or Artificial Neural Networks for identifying invasion syndromes.<\/p>\n \u201cOverall, we believe that invasion syndromes can account for the context-dependency of biological invasions,\u201d Novoa explains. \u201cWe are positive that this approach will help us to improve our understanding of the phenomenon of biological invasions, and to develop more effective management strategies,\u201d she concludes.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Read the paper<\/b><\/p>\n Kueffer, C., Py\u0161ek, P. and Richardson, D.M., 2013. Integrative invasion science: model systems, multi-site studies, focused meta-analysis and invasion syndromes. New Phytologist<\/em>, 200<\/b>(3), pp.615-633. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/nph.12415<\/a><\/p>\n Please contact Ana Novoa at novoa.perez.ana@gmail.com<\/a> for further information.<\/p>\n References<\/b><\/p>\n![\"Invasion](\"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/cib\/files\/2020\/04\/01_facebook.png\")