Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 5
A Habitat-Classification Framework
and Typology for Understanding, Valuing,
and Managing Invasive Species Impacts
Christoph Kueffer and Curtis C. Daehler
Abstract
It is frequently lamented that invasion biology has not been very suc-
cessful in developing reliable generalizations for management. In particular, there
is an urgent need to improve the understanding and assessment of impacts of inva-
sive species. We argue that a refined conceptualization of biotic invasion derived
from a management perspective, rather than purely from ecological theory, can help
to better understand, value and manage impacts of invasive species. We propose a
habitat-classification framework on the basis of four habitat types that are defined
by their differences in type and degree of human modification, and differences in
human valuation. The first type,
anthropogenic habitat
, encompasses highly dis-
turbed and anthropogenic areas such as agriculture, plantation forestry, or urban
areas. The second type,
reference habitat
, represents relatively undisturbed habitat
dominated by native species. The third type,
abandoned habitat
, involves habitats
that currently experience relatively little human interference but that have been
highly disturbed or managed in the past, e.g., old fields or abandoned plantation
forests. The fourth habitat type,
designed habitat
, involves situations where humans
deliberately and strongly manipulate a habitat to create a new habitat that primarily
suites conservation objectives (e.g., restoration of a former native habitat). These
four habitat types differ in invader characteristics, invader impacts, management
strategies, and research needs. Our typology may help stimulate more interdiscipli-
nary research yielding improved conceptual and practical understanding of impacts
of invasive species.
Keywords
Applied research
Land use
Natural
Novel ecosystems
Oceanic
island
Post-normal science
Restoration ecology
Secondary succession
Socioecological research
Valuation
C. Kueffer(
) and C.C. Daehler
Department of Botany, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
kuffer@hawaii.edu
