title: Conceptual frameworks and methods for advancing invasion ecology.
abstract: Invasion ecology has much advanced since its early beginnings. Nevertheless, explanation, prediction, and management of biological invasions remain difficult. We argue that progress in invasion research can be accelerated by, first, pointing out difficulties this field is currently facing and, second, looking for measures to overcome them. We see basic and applied research in invasion ecology confronted with difficulties arising from (A) societal issues, e.g., disparate perceptions of invasive species; (B) the peculiarity of the invasion process, e.g., its complexity and context dependency; and (C) the scientific methodology, e.g., imprecise hypotheses. To overcome these difficulties, we propose three key measures: (1) a checklist for definitions to encourage explicit definitions; (2) implementation of a hierarchy of hypotheses (HoH), where general hypotheses branch into specific and precisely testable hypotheses; and (3) platforms for improved communication. These measures may significantly increase conceptual clarity and enhance communication, thus advancing invasion ecology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, Restoration Ecology, Technische Universität München (TUM), Emil-Ramann-Str. 6, 85350, Freising, Germany. t.heger@wzw.tum.de
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heger
authors.forename: Anna T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Pahl
authors.forename: Zoltan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Botta-Dukát
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gherardi
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hoppe
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hoste
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jax
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boets
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kollmann
authors.forename: Meike J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wittmann
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jeschke
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D058865:Introduced Species; D010465:Perception; D012106:Research