Will Alien Plant Invaders Be advantaged Under Future Climates?

Abstract

This chapter focuses on terrestrial alien invasive plants and their potential impact on biodiversity under climate change. We first examine how climate change may influence the abundance and distribution of alien plant species, using the framework of the naturalization-invasion continuum concept (Richardson & Pysek, 2006). We go on to review evidence for the direct and indirect effects of climate change favouring alien invasive plants compared to native species. In light of this evidence, we assess the major drivers of climate change on vegetation to determine whether a shift to alien-dominated vegetation assemblages is likely under future climates. Finally, we discuss issues of management of invasive plant species under climate change and highlight knowledge gaps and potential research directions.