The spread of non-native species
The spread of non-native species
The global redistribution of species through human agency is one of the defining ecological signatures of the Anthropocene, with biological invasions reshaping biodiversity patterns, ecosystem processes and services, and species interactions globally. Here, we review the facets underlying the spread of non-native species – the key process by which introductions translate into large-scale invasions. In particular, we synthesise the ecological, evolutionary, and anthropogenic mechanisms underpinning the spread of non-native species, highlighting how dispersal, recruitment, and establishment interact across spatial and temporal scales. We examine the dynamics of non-native species spread in animals, plants, fungi, and pathogens, as well as across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine realms, with particular attention to the dynamics and processes modulating spread. We further evaluate essential phenomena of non-native species spread, such as the role of invasion fronts, Allee effects, propagule pressure, interactions with environmental change, landscape properties, and biotic interactions. We then outline how spread can be measured, modelled, and predicted using tools ranging from classical diffusion models to cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and individual-based simulations. By offering a cross-system and cross-scale synthesis, this review advances the theoretical and practical understanding of non-native species spread for supporting policy and management.
Allee effects, Non-native species, biological invasions, diffusion, dispersal, invasion front, invasiveness, non-native species
Haubrock, Phillip J.
046c641a-0acb-49bd-aa4c-a4e8375df7a6
Tarkan, Ali Serhan
2beaaeac-cdd4-4ede-91fd-b39313f98474
Martín-Forés, Irene
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Dominguez Almela, Vicky
c46c331c-e5ba-4da9-8f58-207a4999e02e
Haubrock, Phillip J.
046c641a-0acb-49bd-aa4c-a4e8375df7a6
Tarkan, Ali Serhan
2beaaeac-cdd4-4ede-91fd-b39313f98474
Martín-Forés, Irene
33f64241-4752-4b90-9956-0628c43cc3f5
Dominguez Almela, Vicky
c46c331c-e5ba-4da9-8f58-207a4999e02e
Haubrock, Phillip J., Tarkan, Ali Serhan and Martín-Forés, Irene
,
et al.
(2025)
The spread of non-native species.
Biological Reviews.
(doi:10.1002/brv.70121).
Abstract
The global redistribution of species through human agency is one of the defining ecological signatures of the Anthropocene, with biological invasions reshaping biodiversity patterns, ecosystem processes and services, and species interactions globally. Here, we review the facets underlying the spread of non-native species – the key process by which introductions translate into large-scale invasions. In particular, we synthesise the ecological, evolutionary, and anthropogenic mechanisms underpinning the spread of non-native species, highlighting how dispersal, recruitment, and establishment interact across spatial and temporal scales. We examine the dynamics of non-native species spread in animals, plants, fungi, and pathogens, as well as across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine realms, with particular attention to the dynamics and processes modulating spread. We further evaluate essential phenomena of non-native species spread, such as the role of invasion fronts, Allee effects, propagule pressure, interactions with environmental change, landscape properties, and biotic interactions. We then outline how spread can be measured, modelled, and predicted using tools ranging from classical diffusion models to cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and individual-based simulations. By offering a cross-system and cross-scale synthesis, this review advances the theoretical and practical understanding of non-native species spread for supporting policy and management.
Text
Biological Reviews - 2025 - Haubrock - The spread of non‐native species
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Accepted/In Press date: 12 December 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 23 December 2025
Keywords:
Allee effects, Non-native species, biological invasions, diffusion, dispersal, invasion front, invasiveness, non-native species
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 508693
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/508693
ISSN: 1464-7931
PURE UUID: 3d94da1e-c658-4d99-a8c5-d8d943ab9736
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Date deposited: 30 Jan 2026 17:35
Last modified: 31 Jan 2026 07:14
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Contributors
Author:
Phillip J. Haubrock
Author:
Ali Serhan Tarkan
Author:
Irene Martín-Forés
Corporate Author: et al.
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