Going up the Andes: patterns and drivers of non-native plant invasions across latitudinal and elevational gradients

FUENTES-LILLO, EDUARDO; LEMBRECHTS, JONAS J.; BARROS, AGUSTINA; ASCHERO, VALERIA; BUSTAMANTE, RAMIRO O.; CAVIERES, LOHENGRIN A.; CLAVEL, JAN; HERRERA, ILEANA; JIMÉNEZ, ALEJANDRA; TECCO, PAULA; HULME, PHILIP E.; NÚÑEZ, MARTÍN A.; ROZZI, RICARDO; GARCÍA, RAFAEL A.; SIMBERLOFF, DANIEL; NIJS, IVAN; PAUCHARD, ANÍBAL

BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION

SPRINGER

Año: 2023

0960-3115

The Andes mountain range in South America has a high level of endemism and is a major source of ecosystem services. The Andes is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic disturbances that have allowed the establishment of non-native plants, mainly in the lower elevation areas. However, synergies between climate change and anthropogenic pressure are promoting the spread of non-native plants to higher elevation areas. In this article, we evaluate and identify the main non-native plants invading Andean ecosystems, and assess their taxonomic families, growth forms and distribution patterns. Based on a systematic literature review, we identified the importance of climatic and anthropogenic factors as drivers of non-native species establishment in Andean ecosystems and the main impacts of non-native plants in the Andes. We then identified research gaps across each biogeographic region in the Andes. Finally, we highlight key elements to better tackle the problem of non-native plant invasions in Andean ecosystems, including the need for a systematic monitoring of invasion patterns and spread (e.g. MIREN protocol) and a common policy agenda across international borders for the prevention and management of non-native plants in this highly vulnerable region.