title: Invasion Biology: Specific Problems and Possible Solutions.
abstract: Biological invasions have been unambiguously shown to be one of the major global causes of biodiversity loss. Despite the magnitude of this threat and recent scientific advances, this field remains a regular target of criticism - from outright deniers of the threat to scientists questioning the utility of the discipline. This unique situation, combining internal strife and an unaware society, greatly hinders the progress of invasion biology. It is crucial to identify the specificities of this discipline that lead to such difficulties. We outline here 24 specificities and problems of this discipline and categorize them into four groups: understanding, alerting, supporting, and implementing the issues associated with invasive alien species, and we offer solutions to tackle these problems and push the field forward.
authors.affiliation: Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France. Electronic address: franck.courchamp@u-psud.fr.
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Courchamp
authors.affiliation: Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Evolution, and Environment, Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Darwin Building, University College London (UCL), Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bellard
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, Université de Lausanne (UNIL)-Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Cleo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bertelsmeier
authors.affiliation: Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France.
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonnaud
authors.affiliation: Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany; Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Strasse 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Altensteinstrasse 34, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jeschke
authors.affiliation: Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D058865:Introduced Species
keywords: biological invasions; citizen involvement; decision making; engaging with the public; science communication; science–society interface