الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Alien plants species have now affected nearly every ecosystem type on the planet and pose one of the biggest threats to biodiversity worldwide (Katsanevakis et al., 2014). Alien plant species are species that are introduced as a consequence of human activities to new geographic areas, where they become established and then proliferate and spread, to the detriment of human interests and natural systems (Olonova and Zhang, 2013). While the problems caused alien plant species have been evident for many years, the issue has become increasingly important during the last half-century, as the globalization of trade and industry has resulted in increased mobility of people and goods, and the associated transport of plants, animals and micro-organisms around the world (McKinney, 2002). Furthermore, it is anticipated that the problem will be exacerbated in future by climate change, which is likely to favour species that are opportunistic – a characteristic of many invaders (Ziska et al, 2010). |