Plant invasions in China : an emerging hot topic in invasion science

  • China has shown a rapid economic development in recent decades, and several drivers of this change are known to enhance biological invasions, a major cause of biodiversity loss. Here we review the current state of research on plant invasions in China by analyzing papers referenced in the ISI Web of Knowledge. Since 2001, the number of papers has increased exponentially, indicating that plant invasions in China are an emerging hot topic in invasion science. The analyzed papers cover a broad range of methodological approaches and research topics. While more that 250 invasive plant species with negative impacts have been reported from China, only a few species have been considered in more than a handful of papers (in order of decreasing number of references: Spartina alterniflora, Ageratina adenophora, Mikania micrantha, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Solidago canadensis, Eichhornia crassipes). Yet this selection might rather reflect the location of research teams than the most invasive plant species in China. Considering the previous achievements in China found in our analysis research in plant invasions could be expanded by (1) compiling comprehensive lists of non-native plant species at the provincial and national scales and to include species that are native to one part of China but non-native to others in these lists; (2) strengthening pathways studies (primary introduction to the country, secondary releases within the country) to enhance prevention and management; and (3) assessing impacts of invasive species at different spatial scales (habitats, regions) and in relation to conservation resources.

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Metadaten
Author:Jian Liu, Hua Chen, Ingo Kowarik, Yiran Zhang, Renqing Wang
URN:urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-323003
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.15.3751
ISSN:1314-2488
Parent Title (English):NeoBiota
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2013/11/14
Date of first Publication:2012/12/14
Publishing Institution:Universitätsbibliothek Johann Christian Senckenberg
Release Date:2013/11/14
Tag:Alien invasive species; biodiversity conservation; control; ecological impact; flora; management
Issue:15
Page Number:25
First Page:27
Last Page:51
HeBIS-PPN:363142681
Dewey Decimal Classification:5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 58 Pflanzen (Botanik) / 580 Pflanzen (Botanik)
Sammlungen:Sammlung Biologie / Sondersammelgebiets-Volltexte
Zeitschriften / Jahresberichte:NeoBiota / NeoBiota 15
:urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-321090
Licence (German):License LogoCreative Commons - Namensnennung 3.0