Cities Shape the Diversity and Spread of Nonnative Species

• Authors: POTGIETER Luke J.; LI Daijiang; BAISER Benjamin; KÜHN Ingolf; ARONSON Myla F.J.; CARBONI Marta; CELESTI-GRAPOW Laura; DE MATOS Ana Carolina L.; LOSOSOVÁ Zdeňka; MONTANO-CENTELLAS Flavia A.; PYŠEK Petr; RICHARDSON David M.; TSANG Toby P.N.; ZENNI Rafael D.; CADOTTE Marc W.
• Year of publication: 2024
• Type: Article in Periodical
• Magazine / Source: ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS
• MU Faculty or unit: Faculty of Science
• Web: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-102722-012749
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-102722-012749
• Keywords: biological invasions; cities; nonnative species; biodiversity
• Description: The globalization of trade and increased human mobility have facilitated the introduction and spread of nonnative species, posing significant threats to biodiversity and human well-being. As centers of global trade and human populations, cities are foci for the introduction, establishment, and spread of nonnative species. We present a global synthesis of urban characteristics that drive biological invasions within and across cities, focusing on four axes: (a) connectivity, (b) physical properties, (c) culture and socioeconomics, and (d) biogeography and climate. Urban characteristics such as increased connectivity within and among cities, city size and age, and wealth emerged as important drivers of nonnative species diversity and spread, while the relative importance of biogeographic and climate drivers varied considerably. Elaborating how these characteristics shape biological invasions in cities is crucial for designing and implementing strategies to mitigate the impacts of invasions on ecological systems and human well-being.