Invasive species, and the ensuing homogenization of the world's biota, form a global problem with consequences ranging from the decline and extirpation of native species to threats to human health. The magnitude of this issue demands a thorough understanding of the invasion process, which consists of three main stages: initial dispersal, establishment of self-sustaining populations, and spread. To assess the relative distribution of research effort among these stages, we conducted a literature review using 873 articles published in 23 major journals over the past 10 years. Of the 873 papers, only 96 (11.0%) studied initial dispersal, and only half of these (6.2% of the total) were empirical. As the first stage in a contingent process, we argue that initial dispersal is the best stage during which to direct management efforts. In addition, initial dispersal has direct relevance for fundamental ecological questions regarding community assembly and metacommunity dynamics. In so far that answering these questions and preventing invasion are goals of ecologists, the disparity in research effort noted here suggests that ecologists need to expand their efforts to include more research on initial dispersal.
Landscape boundaries and corridors are areas of small spatial extent relative to their large effects on ecological flows. The trend in ecological literature is to treat corridors and boundaries as separate phenomena on the landscape. This approach, however, misses a fundamental aspect they have in common: their strong influence on ecological flows. Corridors and boundaries exist at opposite ends of a permeability gradient, differing in their effects on rates and direction of flow. The position of landscape structures along this permeability gradient depends on attributes of both the flow and of the structure itself. We discuss boundaries and corridors in terms of mover specificity, scale, and effects on different levels of ecological organization, using rivers and streams to illustrate our points. We predict which structures will act as boundaries or corridors and at what spatial and temporal scales they are likely to be relevant. Considering the function of landscape structures across the boundary-corridor continuum will provide researchers and managers with a more complete, holistic viewpoint and will allow better strategies to attain conservation goals. Linderos y Corredores Como un Control de Flujo Ecológico Continuo: Lecciones de Ríos y ArroyosResumen: Los linderos y corredores de paisajes son áreas de extensión espacial pequeña con relación a la gran magnitud de sus efectos en los flujos ecológicos. En la literatura ecológica existe la tendencia de tratar a los corredores y a los linderos como un fenómeno separado en el paisaje. Sin embargo, esta estrategia pierde la característica común fundamental entre estos dos elementos: una fuerte influencia en los flujos ecológicos. Los corredores y los linderos existen a en extremos opuestos de un gradiente de permeabilidad, difieren en sus efectos en cuanto a las tasas y la dirección del flujo. La posición de estructuras del paisaje a lo largo de este gradiente de permeabilidad depende de los atributos tanto del flujo, como de la estructura en sí misma. Nosotros discutimos los linderos y los corredores en términos de especificidad del transportador, la escala y sus efectos en diferentes niveles de organización ecológica y utilizamos ríos y arroyos para ilustrar nuestros puntos. Predecimos cuales estructuras actuarían como linderos o corredores y a que escala espacial y temporal podrían ser relevantes. Considerando que la función de las estructuras del paisaje a lo largo de un continuo lindero-corredor proporcionará a los investigadores y manejadores un punto de vista mas completo e integral y dará cabida a mejores estrategias para alcanzar las metas de conservación.
Landscape boundaries and corridors are areas of small spatial extent relative to their large effects on ecological flows. The trend in ecological literature is to treat corridors and boundaries as separate phenomena on the landscape. This approach, however, misses a fundamental aspect they have in common: their strong influence on ecological flows. Corridors and boundaries exist at opposite ends of a permeability gradient, differing in their effects on rates and direction of flow. The position of landscape structures along this permeability gradient depends on attributes of both the flow and of the structure itself. We discuss boundaries and corridors in terms of mover specificity, scale, and effects on different levels of ecological organization, using rivers and streams to illustrate our points. We predict which structures will act as boundaries or corridors and at what spatial and temporal scales they are likely to be relevant. Considering the function of landscape structures across the boundary-corridor continuum will provide researchers and managers with a more complete, holistic viewpoint and will allow better strategies to attain conservation goals. Linderos y Corredores Como un Control de Flujo Ecológico Continuo: Lecciones de Ríos y ArroyosResumen: Los linderos y corredores de paisajes son áreas de extensión espacial pequeña con relación a la gran magnitud de sus efectos en los flujos ecológicos. En la literatura ecológica existe la tendencia de tratar a los corredores y a los linderos como un fenómeno separado en el paisaje. Sin embargo, esta estrategia pierde la característica común fundamental entre estos dos elementos: una fuerte influencia en los flujos ecológicos. Los corredores y los linderos existen a en extremos opuestos de un gradiente de permeabilidad, difieren en sus efectos en cuanto a las tasas y la dirección del flujo. La posición de estructuras del paisaje a lo largo de este gradiente de permeabilidad depende de los atributos tanto del flujo, como de la estructura en sí misma. Nosotros discutimos los linderos y los corredores en términos de especificidad del transportador, la escala y sus efectos en diferentes niveles de organización ecológica y utilizamos ríos y arroyos para ilustrar nuestros puntos. Predecimos cuales estructuras actuarían como linderos o corredores y a que escala espacial y temporal podrían ser relevantes. Considerando que la función de las estructuras del paisaje a lo largo de un continuo lindero-corredor proporcionará a los investigadores y manejadores un punto de vista mas completo e integral y dará cabida a mejores estrategias para alcanzar las metas de conservación.
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