An international team of researchers published in “Nature” the results of the study concerning various conditions of biological invasions of non-native tree species and factors which counter the invasions. The co-author of the paper is Prof. Bogdan Jaroszewicz from the Białowieża Geobotanical Station, University of Warsaw.

The article Native diversity buffers against severity of non-native tree invasions is based on the study, where the researchers used a unique, global-wide tree dataset, to explore how the diversity of native forests, human activities and the environmental conditions modulate invasions of tree species.

The publication was prepared by an international team of researchers. One of the co-authors is Prof. Bogdan Jaroszewicz from the Białowieża Geobotanical Station, University of Warsaw.

The scientists found that anthropogenic factors (e.g. distance from the nearest sea port) increase probability of the site becoming invaded by non-native trees. However, invasion severity is enhanced by low diversity of native trees. They also discovered that the most successful invaders are those whose tolerance to cold or dry extremes is close to the tolerance of the native tree communities.

The research results provide insights to preventative management of forest ecosystems for mitigation of negative ecological and socioeconomic consequences of tree invasions.

The article can be found on the website of the journal “Nature” >>