Invasive Plant Species Dynamics in Mediterranean Ecosystems

The Mediterranean region, defined by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, hosts a rich mosaic of shrublands, woodlands and croplands. Its unique climatic and edaphic gradients, coupled with a long history of human land use, have created both opportunities and vulnerabilities for invasive plant species. Invasions are driven by factors such as climate change, land abandonment, tourism and horticultural trade, which increase propagule pressure and disturb native communities. Once established, invasive plants can alter fire regimes, nutrient cycles and hydrology, leading to novel ecosystem states that may resist restoration.

Key mechanisms in these dynamics include rapid life-history traits, phenological plasticity and interactions with soil biota. Many invaders exploit seasonally open niches during summer drought or post-fire regeneration, outcompeting native perennials for water and nutrients. The long-term impacts encompass reduced crop yields, loss of endemic species and increased management costs. However, targeted management—integrating early detection, biological control and adaptive grazing—can mitigate these impacts. Recent emphasis has been placed on forecasting invasion risk under future climate scenarios, linking species distribution models with disturbance regimes to inform proactive management.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Studies have highlighted the public health dimension of invasions by showing that the invasive grass Cortaderia selloana produces allergens at levels comparable to native pollen sources. Work in northern Spain demonstrated that expansion of this species prolongs the grass pollen season by several months, exacerbating respiratory allergies. These findings underscore the need to consider human health impacts alongside ecological and economic consequences when prioritising invasive species management.

Invasive Plant Species Dynamics in Mediterranean Ecosystems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in invasive plant species dynamics in mediterranean ecosystems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Alien taxa: Species introduced by human activity beyond their native range.

Invasive species: Alien taxa that establish, spread and cause ecological or socioeconomic harm.

Propagule pressure: The quantity, frequency and diversity of individuals of a species introduced to a new area.

Phenological plasticity: The ability of a species to adjust the timing of life‐cycle events in response to environmental conditions.

Synanthropic habitats: Environments heavily influenced by human activities, such as roadsides, agricultural margins or urban wastelands.

References

1. Allergenicity to worldwide invasive grass Cortaderia selloana as environmental risk to public health. Scientific Reports (2021).
2. New Alien Plant Taxa for Italy and Europe: An Update. Plants (2024).
3. Alien plant invasions in Mediterranean habitats: an assessment for Sicily. Biological Invasions (2021).
4. A first checklist of the alien-dominated vegetation in Italy. Plant Sociology (2020).