Abstract
Simple SummaryPlants and animals are a part of a larger system, commonly referred to as an ecosystem. This generally implies a balance existing between prey and predators. The unintentional introduction of a species in a new environment can lead to a significant alteration of the ecosystem(s) and the uncontrolled spread of the species. When this takes place, the introduced species is referred to as invasive. Invasives can affect the ecosystem in profound ways, and generally, negatively impacting on the native species. This manuscript reviewed the current knowledge of one of Europe’s top invasives, the Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). It provides insights on the species and what have we learned from this invasive species.Biological invasions are renowned for their negative ecological and economic implications, however from studying invasions invaluable insights can be gained in the fields of ecology and evolution- potentially contributing towards conservation plans to deal, not only with biological invasion, but with other concerning issues, such as climate change. Impatiens glandulifera, or Himalayan balsam, is widely considered to be a highly problematic invasive, having spread across more than thirty countries during the past century. This paper will examine the findings which have arose from studying I. glandulifera and its impacts on the invaded ecosystem.
Highlights
Invasive species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity, capable of altering the functioning of ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem services [1]
It is important to highlight that the aforementioned studies investigating the impact of I. glandulifera on phytodiversity were conducted in various geographic locations (i.e., Germany [29], England [34], Czech Republic [32,36] and Switzerland [31]), in a number of different types of habitats and different study designs were utilized; these varied environmental conditions and study designs can all influence the extent of impact of the invasive species- further highlighting the importance of conducting impact studies for specific habitats prior to developing management strategies
Further evidence to support the premise that the invaded environment can shape the genetics, and the success of I. glandulifera can be found by studying populations along a latitudinal gradient; a decrease in plant height and biomass was observed with an increase in latitude, alongside an earlier onset of flowering, and this pattern persisted across two generations grown under glasshouse conditions, indicating they are caused by genetic diversity rather than responsive plasticity [65,98]
Summary
Invasive species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity, capable of altering the functioning of ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem services [1]. It is important to highlight that the aforementioned studies investigating the impact of I. glandulifera on phytodiversity were conducted in various geographic locations (i.e., Germany [29], England [34], Czech Republic [32,36] and Switzerland [31]), in a number of different types of habitats (both riparian and forest habitats- and different environmental conditions) and different study designs were utilized (sampling of invaded and adjacent non-invaded areas versus the inclusion of ‘removal plots’); these varied environmental conditions and study designs can all influence the extent of impact of the invasive species- further highlighting the importance of conducting impact studies for specific habitats prior to developing management strategies.
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