TY - JOUR

T1 - Support for major hypotheses in invasion biology is uneven and declining

AU - Jeschke, Jonathan

AU - Gómez Aparicio, Lorena

AU - Haider, Sylvia

AU - Heger, Tina

AU - Lortie, Christopher

AU - Pyšek, Petr

AU - Strayer, David

PY - 2012/8/22

Y1 - 2012/8/22

N2 - Several major hypotheses have been proposed to explain and predict biological invasions, but the general applicability of these hypotheses is largely unknown, as most of them have not been evaluated using a standard approach across taxonomic groups and habitats. We offer such an evaluation for six selected leading hypotheses. Our global literature review reveals that those hypotheses that consider interactions of exotic invaders with their new environment (invasional meltdown, novel weapons, enemy release) are better supported by empirical evidence than other hypotheses (biotic resistance, island susceptibility, tens rule). We also show that empirical support for the six hypotheses has declined over time, and that support differs among taxonomic groups and habitats. Our results have implications for basic and applied research, policy making, and invasive species management, as their effectiveness depends on sound hypotheses.

AB - Several major hypotheses have been proposed to explain and predict biological invasions, but the general applicability of these hypotheses is largely unknown, as most of them have not been evaluated using a standard approach across taxonomic groups and habitats. We offer such an evaluation for six selected leading hypotheses. Our global literature review reveals that those hypotheses that consider interactions of exotic invaders with their new environment (invasional meltdown, novel weapons, enemy release) are better supported by empirical evidence than other hypotheses (biotic resistance, island susceptibility, tens rule). We also show that empirical support for the six hypotheses has declined over time, and that support differs among taxonomic groups and habitats. Our results have implications for basic and applied research, policy making, and invasive species management, as their effectiveness depends on sound hypotheses.

KW - Biology

KW - Biological invasions

KW - biotic resistance hypothesis

KW - decline effect

KW - enemy release hypothesis

KW - invasional meltdown hypothesis

KW - island susceptibility hypothesis

KW - novel weapons hypothesis

KW - tens rule

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/b9e6f382-8e08-3c42-93e3-a677c23d56fc/

U2 - 10.3897/neobiota.14.3435

DO - 10.3897/neobiota.14.3435

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 14

SP - 1

EP - 20

JO - NeoBiota

JF - NeoBiota

SN - 1619-0033

ER -