Introduced and invasive cactus species: a global review

Abstract

Understanding which species are introduced and become invasive are central questions in invasion science. In this sense, the cactus family is an interesting case study. Only 57 of the 1922 cactus species are currently recorded as invasive. There are three invasion hotspots: South Africa, Australia, and Spain. However, we identified large areas of the world with suitable climates. The invasive taxa represent an interesting subset of the total pool: they occur in two of the three major phylogenetic clades and in 13 of the 130 cactus genera, they possess five of the 12 cactus growth forms, and they tend to have larger native ranges.

Distribution and socio-ecological impacts of the invasive alien cactus Opuntia stricta in eastern Africa

“…The Cactaceae is a large family with 130 genera and 1922 species with the majority native to North, Central and South America (Novoa et al 2015). Numerous cactus species have been introduced around the world for different reasons, including as ornamental plants and to provide fodder and edible products.…”

“…Numerous cactus species have been introduced around the world for different reasons, including as ornamental plants and to provide fodder and edible products. Of these species, 57 have become naturalised and problematic globally, particularly in arid rangelands (Novoa et al 2015). Invasive cactus species impact negatively on biodiversity and a range of economic sectors (Novoa et al 2015), but many species also provide benefits such as revenue through horticulture and provide food, medicinal products and fodder (Einkamerer et al 2009;Shackleton et al 2011;Novoa et al 2016).…”

“…Of these species, 57 have become naturalised and problematic globally, particularly in arid rangelands (Novoa et al 2015). Invasive cactus species impact negatively on biodiversity and a range of economic sectors (Novoa et al 2015), but many species also provide benefits such as revenue through horticulture and provide food, medicinal products and fodder (Einkamerer et al 2009;Shackleton et al 2011;Novoa et al 2016). The situation is often not static, as the costs of invasive species increase and eventually outweigh the benefits as they spread and increase in density (Shackleton et al 2007;van Wilgen and Richardson 2014).…”

“…The situation is often not static, as the costs of invasive species increase and eventually outweigh the benefits as they spread and increase in density (Shackleton et al 2007;van Wilgen and Richardson 2014). Various invasive cactus species have negative impacts on people, wildlife and livestock movement, reduce the value of grazing land, and negatively impact livestock health and ecological processes (Ueckert et al 1990;Taylor and Whitson 1999;Novoa et al 2015), creating a need for active management in order to reduce the negative impacts.…”

Extensive profiling of three varieties of Opuntia spp. fruit for innovative food ingredients

“…is an important crop to study due to its adaptability to difficult growing conditions (arid and semiarid zones). Although this species is native to Mexico, it has spread and been cultivated across the world (Novoa, Le Roux, Robertson, Wilson, & Richardson, 2015). The genus Opuntia is reported to have almost 300 different varieties (FAO, 2002), between domesticated and wild species.…”