Long-term ecology resolves the timing, region of origin and process of establishment for a disputed alien tree.

ABSTRACT: Alien plants are a pervasive environmental problem, particularly on islands where they can rapidly transform unique indigenous ecosystems. However, often it is difficult to confidently determine whether a species is native or alien, especially if establishment occurred before historical records. This can present a management challenge: for example, should such taxa be eradicated or left alone until their region of origin and status are clarified? Here we show how combining palaeoecological and historical records can help resolve such dilemmas, using the tree daisy Olearia lyallii on the remote New Zealand subantarctic Auckland Islands as a case study. The status of this tree as native or introduced has remained uncertain for the 175 years since it was first discovered on the Auckland Islan

SUBMITTER: Wilmshurst JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4612295 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature