title: The role of global trade and transport network topology in the human-mediated dispersal of alien species.
abstract: More people and goods are moving further and more frequently via many different trade and transport networks under current trends of globalisation. These networks can play a major role in the unintended introduction of exotic species to new locations. With the continuing rise in global trade, more research attention is being focused on the role of networks in the spread of invasive species. This represents an emerging field of research in invasion science and the substantial knowledge being generated within other disciplines can provide ecologists with new tools with which to study invasions. For the first time, we synthesise studies from several perspectives, approaches and disciplines to derive the fundamental characteristics of network topology determining the likelihood of spread of organisms via trade and transport networks. These characteristics can be used to identify critical points of vulnerability within these networks and enable the development of more effective strategies to prevent invasions.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship, Dutton Park, 4102, Australia; School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6150, Australia; Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, Bruce, 2617, Australia.
authors.forename: Natalie Clare
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: Dean Ronald
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Paini
authors.forename: Kirsty Louise
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Bayliss
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hodda
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D003132:Commerce; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D006801:Humans; D058865:Introduced Species; D011157:Population Dynamics
keywords: Human-mediated spread; infectious diseases; invasive alien species; trade; transport networks