{"id":38,"date":"2011-11-10T13:39:55","date_gmt":"2011-11-10T11:39:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/daverichardson\/?page_id=38"},"modified":"2020-09-15T10:23:55","modified_gmt":"2020-09-15T08:23:55","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/daverichardson\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h3>\n
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My research focuses on the ecology and management of diversity and distributions, particularly relating to biological invasions. This wordle image is a word cloud constructed in Wordle<\/a> from the titles of my publications and conference presentations since 2005. It neatly summarizes my recent research activity.<\/p>\n

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Most of my recent research falls into one or more of the categories to follow.<\/h3>
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTrees and shrubs as invasive species - understanding invasion dynamics & forging management strategies in a changing world\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Woody plants were not widely considered to be important invasive alien species until fairly recently. Thousands of species of trees and shrubs have, however, been moved around the world. Many species have spread from planting sites, and some are now among the most widespread and damaging of invasive organisms [read a recent global review and the 2013 update of the database<\/a>].<\/p>\n

\"\"Pines (genus Pinus<\/em>) and other conifers<\/a> have featured prominently in my research on the dynamics of plant invasions. Because of the large number of species in the genus Pinus<\/em> (about 111), the wide range of ecological adaptations in different species, and because many species have been so widely planted in many habitats outside their natural range, studies on pine invasions have been useful for shedding light on many aspects of plant invasion ecology<\/a>. Recent research in my lab on pines as invasive species has focussed on understanding macroecological patterns<\/a>, and providing guidelines for strategic management<\/a> of pine invasions in the southern hemisphere<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Australian acacias or \u201cwattles\u201d (1012 recognized species native to Australia, previously grouped in Acacia<\/em> subgenus Phyllodineae<\/em>) are currently a strong focus of my research. Many species have been moved around the world by humans over the past 250 years. This has created the opportunity to explore how evolutionary, ecological, historical and sociological factors interact to affect the distribution, usage, invasiveness and perceptions of a globally important group of plants<\/a>. Recent research on Australian acacias by my group has dealt with:<\/p>\n

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