Journal article
Using multi-scale species distribution data to infer drivers of biological invasion in riparian wetlands
JA Catford, BJ Downes
Diversity and Distributions | WILEY | Published : 2010
Abstract
Aim Biological invasion is a major conservation problem that is of interest to ecological science. Understanding mechanisms of invasion is a high priority, heightened by the management imperative of acting quickly after species introduction. While information about invading species' ecology is often unavailable, species distribution data can be collected near the onset of invasion. By examining distribution patterns of exotic and native plant species at multiple spatial scales, we aim to identify the scale (of those studied) that accounts for most variability in exotic species abundance, and infer likely drivers of invasion. Location River Murray wetlands, south-eastern Australia. Methods A ..
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Funding Acknowledgements
Thanks to I. Conlan, B. Hradsky, A. Glaister, S. Catford, D. Marsh, C. Catford, G. Tan, G. Vietz, E. Catford, J. Edge and N. Bainton for field assistance; R. White, M. Caldwell, K. Ward, J. Hawkins, M. Copland, T. Alexander and A. Webb for access and tours of sites. Thanks also to Marnie Collins at the Statistical Consulting Centre, The University of Melbourne for statistical advice, and Jody Gunn, Kelly Hunt, Michelle Leishman, David Strayer and Peter Vesk for feedback on the manuscript. We greatly appreciated the constructive comments made by three anonymous referees. Funding for the research was provided by an Australian Postgraduate Award, CSIRO Land and Water, the Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management, Holsworth Wildlife Research Fund, and The University of Melbourne.