Hulme P.E., Pyšek P., Pergl J., Jarošík V., Schaffner U., Vilà M.
The Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand; Institute of Botany, Department of Invasion Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prů honice, Czech Republic; Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa; CABI, Delémont, Switzerland; Estació n Bioló gica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
Hulme, P.E., The Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand; Pyšek, P., Institute of Botany, Department of Invasion Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prů honice, Czech Republic, Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic, Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa; Pergl, J., Institute of Botany, Department of Invasion Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prů honice, Czech Republic; Jarošík, V., Institute of Botany, Department of Invasion Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prů honice, Czech Republic, Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; Schaffner, U., CABI, Delémont, Switzerland; Vilà, M., Estació n Bioló gica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
Alien plants pose significant threats to protected areas worldwide yet many studies only describe the degree to which these areas have become invaded. Research must move toward a better understanding of alien plant impacts sincemanagers urgently require an appropriate evidence base to prioritize control/ eradication targets. We analyze a global database of quantitative studies of alien plant impacts to evaluate existing knowledge of alien plant impacts within and outside protected areas. Although protected areas are a significant focus for quantitative impact studies, the biogeographic emphasis of most research effort does not coincide with the global distribution of protected areas nor the plant species or life-forms recognized to have greatest impacts on ecosystems. While impacts were often as significant within protected areas as outside, only a minority of studies provide any subsequent management recommendations. There is therefore considerable scope to improve the evidence base on alien plant management in protected areas. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.