Biological invasions are dynamic processes that involve the spread of species across previously unoccupied areas.

The rate at which species spread and the drivers of dispersal are important attributes that distinguish problematic from non-problematic species and an understanding of spatial dynamics is often necessary for management.

This project aims to develop realistic models of the spread of alien species in natural landscapes in order to use these to understand why some habitats are more vulnerable to invasion.

Key publications relating to this research:

Hulme PE (2008) Contrasting alien and native plant species-area relationships: the importance of spatial grain and extent.   Global Ecology & Biogeography DOI: 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2008.00404.x

Hulme PE (2008) Phenotypic plasticity and plant invasions: is it all Jack?  Functional Ecology, 22, 3-7.

Hulme PE, Bacher S, Kenis M, Klotz S, Kühn I, Minchin D, Nentwig W, Olenin S, Panov V, Pergl J, Pyšek P,  Roques A, Sol D, Solarz W & Vilà, M (2008) Grasping at the routes of biological invasions: a framework to better integrate pathways into policy.  Journal of Applied Ecology, 45, 403-414.

Pyšek, P. & Hulme, P.E. (2005)  Spatio-temporal dynamics of plant invasions:  linking pattern to process.  Ecoscience, 12, 302-315

Sullivan, JJ, Timmins, SM &  Williams, PA (2005)  Movement of exotic plants into coastal native forests from gardens in northern New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 29,  1-10

Truscott A-M., Soulsby, C., Palmer, S.C.F., Newell, L. & Hulme, P.E. (2006)  The dispersal characteristics of the invasive plant Mimulus guttatus and the ecological significance of increased occurrence of high flow events. Journal of Ecology, 94, 1080-1091

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