Biological Invasions in a Changing World, from Biodiversity Assessment to Ecosystem Functions
A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Loss & Dynamics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 7180
Special Issue Editors
Interests: marine alien species; structural and functional marine biodiversity; conservation biology; marine biocostructions; marine fouling; marine invertebrate rearing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: marine ecology; plankton ecology; ecology and evolution; conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: benthos; sabellaria; non-indigenous species; marine benthic species
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In marine ecosystems, there are more and more reports of new alien species, especially in transitional environments where human activities are more intense, outlining routes and introduction pathways that often see fouling communities as a fertile ground for invasions. The vulnerability of the habitats, the ecological and biological drivers that favor the success of the newcomers, and the responses to the invasions of the native community represent the challenges to be faced. Novel environments offer novel opportunities, and plasticity may represent a significant advantage when dealing with new challenges. Invaders are a non-random subset of the source population, and individual differences have substantial ecological and evolutionary importance, also playing a key role in biological invasions.
A macro-ecological approach to biological invasions can provide useful information on the relationship between alien invasions and biological responses; comparative studies between invader and closely related native species can reveal functional traits involved in the invasion success; when native and invader species live sympatrically, ecological studies can be carried out with an improved resolution.
In this Special Issue, we invite the submission of contributions that address the alien issue in aquatic ecosystems from multiple points of view, including specific interactions, adaptation, patterns of introduction and expansion, responses of biological communities, influence on ecosystem functions and services, etc.
Dr. Cataldo Pierri
Dr. Armando Macali
Dr. Andrea Bonifazi
Guest Editors
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