Alien Species Management: From Scientific Discovery to Policy Implementation
A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Diversity".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 15
Special Issue Editor
Interests: benthos; sabellaria; non-indigenous species; marine benthic species
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Alien species represent one of the most pressing issues in the field of invasion ecology due to their ecological impact on ecosystems as well as their economic consequences. New alien species are reported almost daily, and some of these can prove to be particularly invasive. Therefore, increased attention from both the scientific community and the general public is needed to address this issue.
In fact, the potential vulnerability of marine, terrestrial, and transitional habitats, the ecological and biological mechanisms that facilitate the establishment of non-native species, and the responses of native communities to such invasions constitute critical challenges in invasion ecology. Novel environments create novel opportunities, and phenotypic plasticity may provide a significant adaptive advantage in overcoming ecological barriers. Invasive species often represent a non-random subset of their source populations, and individual-level differences play a key role in their ecological and evolutionary trajectories. These traits are also central to determining the success and impact of biological invasions.
A macro-ecological approach can yield valuable insights into the dynamics between alien species and native biota, revealing patterns of spread, ecological interactions, and community responses. Comparative studies between invasive and phylogenetically related native species can help identify the functional traits associated with invasion success. Furthermore, when invaders and natives coexist sympatrically, fine-scale ecological investigations become possible, enabling high-resolution assessments of interaction outcomes.
In this view, it is essential to improve the management of alien species invasions, as well as the implementation of policies addressing this issue.
This Special Issue invites contributions that explore the alien species phenomenon from diverse perspectives. Topics of interest include—but are not limited to—species interactions, adaptive strategies, introduction and expansion pathways, community-level responses, and effects on ecosystem functioning and services.
Dr. Andrea Bonifazi
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- nis
- alien species
- invasive species
- policy implementation
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