Abstract
China has shown a rapid economic development in recent decades, and several drivers of this change are known to enhance biological invasions, a major cause of biodiversity loss. Here we review the current state of research on plant invasions in China by analyzing papers referenced in the ISI Web of Knowledge. Since 2001, the number of papers has increased exponentially, indicating that plant invasions in China are an emerging hot topic in invasion science. The analyzed papers cover a broad range of methodological approaches and research topics. While more that 250 invasive plant species with negative impacts have been reported from China, only a few species have been considered in more than a handful of papers (in order of decreasing number of references: Spartina alterniflora, Ageratina adenophora, Mikania micrantha, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Solidago canadensis, Eichhornia crassipes). Yet this selection might rather reflect the location of research teams than the most invasive plant species in China. Considering the previous achievements in China found in our analysis research in plant invasions could be expanded by (1) compiling comprehensive lists of non-native plant species at the provincial and national scales and to include species that are native to one part of China but non-native to others in these lists; (2) strengthening pathways studies (primary introduction to the country, secondary releases within the country) to enhance prevention and management; and (3) assessing impacts of invasive species at different spatial scales (habitats, regions) and in relation to conservation resources.
Highlights
Biological invasions are a major driver of biodiversity loss worldwide (Mack et al 2000, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005, Gaertner et al 2009, Pyšek and Richardson 2010, Vilà et al 2011), and associated costs will continue to increase with the development of international trade and global change (Pimentel et al 2005, DehnenSchmutz et al 2007, Ding et al 2008, Perrings et al 2010)
The most studied research topics included the characterization of biological features of introduced plant species and impacts associated with biological invasions, followed by studies on the control of invasive species
The analyzed papers cover a broad range of methodological approaches and research topics and clearly enhanced the understanding of plant invasions in China, in particular by compiling species lists, analyzing taxonomic and geographical patterns, and studying species- and environment-related mechanisms that might shape plant invasions and their associated impacts
Summary
Biological invasions are a major driver of biodiversity loss worldwide (Mack et al 2000, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005, Gaertner et al 2009, Pyšek and Richardson 2010, Vilà et al 2011), and associated costs will continue to increase with the development of international trade and global change (Pimentel et al 2005, DehnenSchmutz et al 2007, Ding et al 2008, Perrings et al 2010). Studies on plant invasions are still geographically biased, with an overrepresentation of studies in Western countries and a low presentation of developing countries in Africa or Asia (Pyšek et al 2008, Nuñex and Pauchard 2010, Khuroo et al 2011). This leads to an unbalanced understanding of biological invasions, which are often context specific (Richardson and Pyšek 2006). Studies in developing countries are trying to fill the geographical gaps in invasion science research, which will be crucial to counteract negative impacts associated with plant invasions (Khuroo et al 2011). With the rapid economic growth of recent decades, increasing numbers of plant introductions and linking of previously isolated regions through the establishment of new transport corridors have promoted plant invasions in China (Lin et al 2007, Weber and Li 2008, Wang et al 2011, Ju et al 2012)
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