Invasion Ecology: Transport Vectors and Pathways

Amy Hopkins and Nicole Cardona

Summary

Vector - The manner in which species are introduced into new locations

Pathway - The route the vector takes

Summary

Human-Mediated vs Natural Transport

Intentional vs unintentional Transport

Transport Vectors: Food and Game Environmental Enhancement Biocontrol Conservation and Scientific Pursuits Unintentional

Transport Pathways: Spatial and Temporal Dynamics

Exotic Invasives and Their Transport Vectors

What is surprising about this table?

Discussion Questions

• How specific do we need to be when examining transport of invasive species?

Should all vectors be considered? Just the significant ones?

Discussion Questions

• How does the economical image of invasive species change depending on its

degree of invasiveness? I.e. St. John’s Wort and Dandilions

Discussion Questions

• Are intentional and unintentional transport quantifiable? What variables would you

include in this calculation?

Discussion Questions

• Is there a record of marine fish extinction over last few hundred years? What is the explanation for the lack of exotic marine

fish introductions? Is this a good model for non-human-mediated (natural) invasion?

Why/why not?

Discussion Questions

• Since ornamental species are very desirable amongst the general public, where should the scientific community

draw the line between demand and ecological conservation?

Discussion Questions

• Is all human-mediated transport “unnatural”?