The natives are restless, but not often and mostly when disturbed

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• The perceived threat of introduced species is debated, with some arguing it's overstated.
• Native species can also exhibit invasive behaviors, complicating ecological assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess the relative invasiveness of native versus nonnative plant species in the United States.
• To identify factors contributing to native plant species being perceived as invasive.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of plant invasions in the United States.
• Comparative analysis of the frequency and perception of invasive native and nonnative species.
• Examination of ecological and anthropogenic factors associated with native plant invasions.

Main Results:

• Nonnative species are six times more likely to be labeled invasive than native species.
• Individual nonnative species are 40 times more likely to be perceived as invasive compared to native species.
• Native plant invasions are predominantly linked to anthropogenic disturbances like altered fire regimes, hydrology, grazing, or introduced species impacts.

Conclusions:

• Native plant species are significantly less likely to pose problems to local ecosystems compared to nonnative species.
• Human activities are the primary drivers when native species exhibit invasive characteristics.
• The ecological impact of nonnative species is generally more pronounced than that of native species.