No saturation in the accumulation of alien species worldwide

Abstract

Although research on human-mediated exchanges of species has substantially intensified during the last centuries, we know surprisingly little about temporal dynamics of alien species accumulations across regions and taxa. Using a novel database of 45,813 first records of 16,926 established alien species, we show that the annual rate of first records worldwide has increased during the last 200 years, with 37% of all first records reported most recently (1970–2014). Inter-continental and inter-taxonomic variation can be largely attributed to the diaspora of European settlers in the nineteenth century and to the acceleration in trade in the twentieth century. For all taxonomic groups, the increase in numbers of alien species does not show any sign of saturation and most taxa even show increases in the rate of first records over time. This highlights that past efforts to mitigate invasions have not been effective enough to keep up with increasing globalization.

Population genomics of the introduced and cultivated Pacific kelp Undaria pinnatifida: Marinas—not farms—drive regional connectivity and establishment in natural rocky reefs

“…Nonindigenous species (NIS) exert a plethora of effects on native flora and fauna, not the least of which is the breakdown of biogeographical boundaries and biotic homogenization (Capinha, Essl, Seebens, Moser, & Pereira, 2015), trends unlikely to slow down in the near future (Seebens et al., 2017). In marine systems, maritime traffic and aquaculture perpetuate biological introduction processes at global and regional scales (Minchin, 2007a; Molnar, Gamboa, Revenga, & Spalding, 2008; Nunes, Katsanevakis, Zenetos, & Cardoso, 2014; Savini et al., 2010).…”

Abundance, biomass and energy use of native and alien breeding birds in Britain

“…Established alien species accumulated at around eight first records (i.e. of an alien species in a geographic region) per year from 1500 to 1800 AD, but now average around one first record per day (Seebens et al 2017). There is no evidence that the rate of alien species arrivals is slowing.…”

“…The continued growth in the arrival and establishment of alien species (Seebens et al 2017) is of concern because of their potential impacts on the environment and economy of the recipient regions (Vitousek et al 1996). An increase in species numbers tells only part of the story, however.…”

Open-Source Processing and Analysis of Aerial Imagery Acquired with a Low-Cost Unmanned Aerial System to Support Invasive Plant Management

“…The first one refers to the prevention of species introductions to countries. Despite recent efforts to discriminate species for deliberate introductions and improve control of involuntary introductions, the rate of species introductions has not declined at the global level (Seebens et al, 2017). The second approach refers to early detection and rapid response for eradication or containment, and the third to sustained control over time once populations have grown too large or too widespread to be eradicated (Wittenberg and Cock, 2001).…”