TY - JOUR

T1 - Ain't no mountain high enough

T2 - Plant invasions reaching new elevations

AU - Pauchard, Aníbal

AU - Kueffer, Christoph

AU - Dietz, Hansjörg

AU - Daehler, Curtis C.

AU - Alexander, Jake

AU - Edwards, Peter J.

AU - Arévalo, José Ramón

AU - Cavieres, Lohengrin A.

AU - Guisan, Antoine

AU - Haider, Sylvia

AU - Jakobs, Gabi

AU - McDougall, Keith

AU - Millar, Constance I.

AU - Naylor, Bridgett J.

AU - Parks, Catherine G.

AU - Rew, Lisa J.

AU - Seipel, Tim

PY - 2009/11/1

Y1 - 2009/11/1

N2 - Most studies of invasive species have been in highly modified, lowland environments, with comparatively little attention directed to less disturbed, high-elevation environments. However, increasing evidence indicates that plant invasions do occur in these environments, which often have high conservation value and provide important ecosystem services. Over a thousand non-native species have become established in natural areas at high elevations worldwide, and although many of these are not invasive, some may pose a considerable threat to native mountain ecosystems. Here, we discuss four main drivers that shape plant invasions into high-elevation habitats: (1) the (pre-)adaptation of non-native species to abiotic conditions, (2) natural and anthropogenic disturbances, (3) biotic resistance of the established communities, and (4) propagule pressure. We propose a comprehensive research agenda for tackling the problem of plant invasions into mountain ecosystems, including documentation of mountain invasion patterns at multiple scales, experimental studies, and an assessment of the impacts of non-native species in these systems. The threat posed to high-elevation biodiversity by invasive plant species is likely to increase because of globalization and climate change. However, the higher mountains harbor ecosystems where invasion by nonnative species has scarcely begun, and where science and management have the opportunity to respond in time.

AB - Most studies of invasive species have been in highly modified, lowland environments, with comparatively little attention directed to less disturbed, high-elevation environments. However, increasing evidence indicates that plant invasions do occur in these environments, which often have high conservation value and provide important ecosystem services. Over a thousand non-native species have become established in natural areas at high elevations worldwide, and although many of these are not invasive, some may pose a considerable threat to native mountain ecosystems. Here, we discuss four main drivers that shape plant invasions into high-elevation habitats: (1) the (pre-)adaptation of non-native species to abiotic conditions, (2) natural and anthropogenic disturbances, (3) biotic resistance of the established communities, and (4) propagule pressure. We propose a comprehensive research agenda for tackling the problem of plant invasions into mountain ecosystems, including documentation of mountain invasion patterns at multiple scales, experimental studies, and an assessment of the impacts of non-native species in these systems. The threat posed to high-elevation biodiversity by invasive plant species is likely to increase because of globalization and climate change. However, the higher mountains harbor ecosystems where invasion by nonnative species has scarcely begun, and where science and management have the opportunity to respond in time.

KW - Biology

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70350406624&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1890/080072

DO - 10.1890/080072

M3 - Scientific review articles

AN - SCOPUS:70350406624

VL - 7

SP - 479

EP - 486

JO - Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

JF - Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

SN - 1540-9295

IS - 9

ER -