Biological invasions are not only relevant as subjects of ecological and biogeographical research, but have also an economical, political and social dimension. They are, thus, an interdisciplinary sphere of action, having its core in the life sciences. At the Chair of Restoration Ecology we focus on ecological questions in the context of the spread of species outside their indigenous range. We are especially interested in the mechanisms of biological invasions, which we study for plants as well as for animals. This combination of projects in both plant and animal ecology underscores our aim of finding taxon-independent results. Furthermore, we also understand invasions as cultural phenomena. We are interested in the influence of socio-cultural factors on the perception of alien species and on the course of invasion processes.
'Biological invasions' in our view are processes of spread of species outside their indigenous ranges. We refer to 'alien species' as all those species which are preliminarily established within an area that is not part of their original range. From our perspective it is decisive that the occurrence of the species in this area has been hindered hitherto by a barrier to dispersal, not by unsuitable environmental conditions. Area expansions that do not include the overcoming of a barrier to dispersal, for example due to global warming, according to our definition are not biological invasions. Also, whether the crossing of the barrier has been a consequence of intentional or unintentional transportation or of an uncommon natural event, in our opinion does not matter: in a truly ecological sense the mode of transportation is irrelevant. We define alien species as 'invasive' if they spread within the new area – no matter to what extent and how fast they spread, and no matter whether the spread is connected to changes which are judged as negative from a cultural or economic perspective.
Supervisors:
Dr. Tina Heger
PD Dr. Jonathan Jeschke
Dr. Harald Meimberg
Current PhD-Theses:
Changes in community context: causes and consequences of plant invasion success (Dipl. Ing. Anna Liebaug)
The role of ecological similarity and eco-evolutionary experience in invasion success (Dipl.-Biol. Wolf Saul)