Understanding the factors that influence the spread of invasive plant species is the main goal of our research. Global environmental changes and increasing human mobility make people the most effective seed dispersal vector. Through transport, trade and tourism seeds can spread between distant and isolated regions, therefore human activities have an important role in shaping the dynamics of invasion events. We conduct field surveys and laboratory experiments to investigate how environmental factors, plant characteristics and human behaviour influence the spread of invasive species seeds through human clothing and vehicle traffic. We will develop prevention and control methods to reduce the rate of human spread of invasive species, and test habitat management and restoration methods to effectively control established invasive plant species.
Participating researchers
Partners
- Hortobágy National Park Directorate - spread of invasive plant species through vehicle transport
- University of Szeged, Department of Ecology - study of the early stages of the invasion process
- Technical University ETH Zürich - control of invasive species through habitat restoration
- Wagner Ecology Lab, University of Alberta - research on factors affecting the success of invasive species
