Invasive Alien Plants In Brazil: A Nonrestrictive Revision of Academic Works

Abstract

Recent papers about invasive plants in Brazil have highlighted the scarcity of criteria for determining invasiveness status. Here, we reviewed papers published in academic journals before March 2012, together with undergraduate monographs, theses and dissertations and abstracts from meetings in ecology, botany and related fields, in order to list plants reported as invasive and verify the criteria used. A total of 124 works were listed, of which 45.9% reported quantitative samples and 35% dealt with Atlantic Forest, 18.5% with Cerrado and 17.8% with Caatinga, the most affected vegetation domains. Invasive behavior was supported by field data for only 54 alien species. Actual figures could be larger; however, the need for further research cannot be used as a justification for inaction in terms of public policy, and the precautionary principle should be employed in implementing temporary solutions in order to avoid irreversible damage.

Regeneration response of Brazilian Atlantic Forest woody species to four years of Megathyrsus maximus removal

“…L. Jacobs, formerly Panicum maximum Jacq.) (Dias et al, 2013;Zenni and Ziller, 2011). Introduced from Africa, probably in the 18th century, it was once used as bedding on slave ships (Parsons, 1972) and as cattle forage.…”

Invasive plants in the Brazilian Caatinga: a scientometric analysis with prospects for conservation

“…After 2005, the development of research and publications related to invasive animals and plants in the different biomes of Brazil intensified, as expected (Zenni et al 2016). The number of publications on the Caatinga also increased during this period; however, the increase was slight when compared to other biomes (Dias et al 2013;Frehse et al 2016;Zenni et al 2016). Whereas 83% of all the papers published on the topic in Brazil dealt with the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, 5% dealt with the Caatinga (Frehse et al 2016).…”

“…In view of the present scenario of exploitation of natural resources, along with the incipient nature of research related to the Caatinga, increased understanding of the factors that determine successful invasion by plants in this biome is necessary. Some scientometric evaluations of the invasion of species of fauna and flora in Brazil have been carried out recently (Dias et al 2013;Frehse et al 2016;Zenni et al 2016), including some studies of invasive species in the Caatinga, but they do not provide detail on the gaps in research for this biome. An evaluation of Caatinga-focused scientific production can provide a means for assessing the progress of invasion-related studies, highlight research gaps and provide a broad picture of the consequences of invasions in this biome.…”

Background and the use of isoscapes in the Brazilian context: essential tool for isotope data interpretation and natural resource management

“…Some plants used in agriculture and livestock were introduced in natural ecosystems in Brazil. There are at least 54 potentially invasive plants in Brazil and their effects on local biogeochemical cycles are little known (Zenni and Ziller 2011;Dias et al, 2013). Similar approaches as above described (Bai et al, 2013) should be used to help in the understanding of invasion vectors and the biogeochemical cycle changing (Rascher et al, 2012, Bai et al, 2012a, Hellmann et al, 2016a.…”