Understanding Eco-Geographical Relationship in Invaded Ranges by Acacia longifolia (Andrews) Willd.: An Intercontinental Case Study on Acacia Invasions

Abstract

Biological invasion is a process of ecosystem degradation caused by the proliferation of exotic species. The success of this process depends on the biological characteristics of the species (invasiveness) and the abiotic characteristics of ecosystems (invasibility). Concern about this process has been growing in recent times but, in most cases, decisions on its management have been taken without sufficient knowledge of the impacts involved. Invasive species have a wide phenotypic diversity which, associated with the ecological-geographic conditions of the territories, seems to increase their ability to invade both natural and humanized environments. This communication aimed to (1) define and map the global and local cores (Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay) invaded by Acacia longifolia; (2) identify its impacts on coastal ecosystems; (3) understand the relationships between the patterns and processes responsible for the proliferation and invasion of this species; (4) and, finally, this information pretend to be a support to the future evaluation of the distribution patterns and ecological processes of the species to develop national and transnational invasive alien species (IAS) management. Acacia longifolia is a coastal shrub native to Australia and shows significant invasive potential. It was introduced first in Portugal at the end of the nineteenth century, about a century before it was brought to South America (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay). We did a global analysis of the invasive species dynamics (regarding its invasibility/invasiveness), focusing on areas invaded by the species with different natural and socio-ecological characteristics. Considering that total eradication in the short-medium term is technically unfeasible, more pragmatic management solutions are required whose adaptation to local realities greatly benefits from these global analyses.