title: Comparing determinants of alien bird impacts across two continents: implications for risk assessment and management.
abstract: Invasive alien species can have serious adverse impacts on both the environment and the economy. Being able to predict the impacts of an alien species could assist in preventing or reducing these impacts. This study aimed to establish whether there are any life history traits consistently correlated with the impacts of alien birds across two continents, Europe and Australia, as a first step toward identifying life history traits that may have the potential to be adopted as predictors of alien bird impacts. A recently established impact scoring system was used in combination with a literature review to allocate impact scores to alien bird species with self-sustaining populations in Australia. These scores were then tested for correlation with a series of life history traits. The results were compared to data from a previous study in Europe, undertaken using the same methodology, in order to establish whether there are any life history traits consistently correlated with impact across both continents. Habitat generalism was the only life history trait found to be consistently correlated with impact in both Europe and Australia. This trait shows promise as a potential predictor of alien bird impacts. The results support the findings of previous studies in this field, and could be used to inform decisions regarding the prevention and management of future invasions.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus Buckhurst Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, U.K.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1 Matieland, 7602, South Africa.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumschick
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park London, NW1 4RY, U.K ; Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London London, WC1E 6BT, U.K.
authors.forename: Ellie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dyer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park London, NW1 4RY, U.K ; Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program, King Saud University Riyadh, 1145, Saudi Arabia ; Environment Institute, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Blackburn
keywords: Alien birds; biological invasion; habitat generalism; impact prediction; life history traits; risk assessment