Protected areas offer refuge from invasive species spreading under climate change
This study investigates the potential distributions of 100 of the most invasive terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species in Europe
Abstract
Protected areas (PAs) are intended to provide native biodiversity and habitats with a refuge against the impacts of global change, particularly acting as natural filters against biological invasions. In practice, however, it is unknown how effective PAs will be in shielding native species from invasions under projected climate change. Here, the authors investigate the current and future potential distributions of 100 of the most invasive terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species in Europe. They use this information to evaluate the combined threat posed by climate change and invasions to existing PAs and the most susceptible species they shelter.
Citation
Gallardo, B., Aldridge, D.C., González-Moreno, P., Pergl, J., Pizarro, M., Pyšek, P., Thuiller, W. Yesson, C. and Vilà, M. (2017) Protected areas offer refuge from invasive species spreading under climate change. Global Change Biology 23(12), 5331–5343.
Links
Protected areas offer refuge from invasive species spreading under climate change