泥沙淤积对菹草萌发与初期生长的影响

泥沙淤积对菹草萌发与初期生长影响的试验研究结果表明,泥沙淤积会延迟菹草石芽的萌发,但泥沙淤积不会明显影响菹草石芽最终的萌发率;淤积厚度对菹草萌发苗的叶片数影响不明显,叶片长度、宽度和叶片面积随泥沙淤积厚度增加而减小,叶片的长/宽比值则随泥沙淤积厚度的增加而增加;菹草单株平均生物量随淤积厚度的增加而减小.     

河流泥沙对污染河水中污染物的吸附特性研究

泥沙是河流水体的重要组成部分,在迁移过程中吸附一定的氮、磷进入底层或下游,从而改变水中污染物的分布。通过模拟试验,选择粒径76μm以下泥沙研究不同泥沙含量、不同污染程度等条件下,河流泥沙对污染河水中氮、磷等污染物的吸附特性。结果表明:河流泥沙对污染河水的氮、磷及高锰酸盐指数均有一定的吸附效果,特别是对氮、磷的等温吸附比较明显;与对照相比,含泥沙的试验组水体磷质量浓度最大降低值达0.53mg·L-1;水体溶解性总氮随时间延长,含量逐渐下降。污染物含量、泥沙含量、粒径等均会影响泥沙对污染物的吸附,污染物含量越高、泥沙含量越大、粒径越小吸附效果相对越好。泥沙吸附和富集污染物后沉降进入水体底层,离开水相,因而可以降低水中污染物含量,达到净化水质的作用。     

富营养化水体中菹草光合荧光特性研究

用NH4Cl、NaNO3、KH2PO4配置不同氮磷浓度的试验水,将菹草(Potamogeton cripus)分别移栽于上述水体中,观测菹草在各水体中的生长发育状况,并用水下饱和脉冲叶绿素荧光仪(Diving-PAM)测定菹草光合作用PSII有效荧光产量(Y)、光化学荧光淬灭系数(qP)、非光化学荧光淬灭系数(qN)等指标。结果表明:在TN<2mg·L-1,TP<0.4mg·L-1,Chla<118mg·m-3试验水体中,菹草长势良好,株高增加了51.2%、46.6%,叶片数增大了57.7%、58.1%;在营养盐质量浓度很高(TN8mg·L-1,TP0.8mg·L-1)、藻类生物量极高(Chla421mg·m-3)的水体中,菹草的生长受到抑制,并出现死亡。Y、qP、qN的值说明了在TN<2mg·L-1,TP<0.4mg·L-1,Chla<118mg·m-3水体中,菹草叶片吸收的光能更多的参与光化学反应,光合作用增大。高营养盐质量浓度(TN8mg·L-1,TP0.8mg·L-1,Chla421mg·m-3)水体中的菹草叶片将大部分光能用于热耗散,光合作用降低。快速光响应曲线同时也说明各水体中,菹草的最小饱和光强(Ek)都为176μmol·m-2s-1,但高营养盐质量浓度(TN8mg·L-1,TP0.8mg·L-1,Chla421mg·m-3)水体中的菹草叶片的最大光电子传递速率(rETR-max)明显低于其他水体,随着水体中营养盐浓度的升高,菹草耐光抑制能力显著降低。     

冬季降温对菹草叶片光合荧光特性的影响

将菹草(Potamogeton cripus)石芽种植于室外水体中,萌发后选择发育程度相近的幼苗,在冬季降温期间利用水下饱和脉冲荧光仪(DIVING-PAM)测定幼苗叶片的FV/Fm和光响应恢复曲线.结果表明,在冬季水温低于7℃的条件下菹草叶片FV/Fm显著降低(P<0.01).水温回复到9～10℃后,FV/Fm逐渐增大;光强的降低有利于FV/Fm的恢复.进一步研究植株的光响应恢复曲线发现,第4-10天,水温<7℃,菹草叶片有效荧光产量(ΔFV'/Fm)的光响应能力和暗恢复能力显著下降;同时,热耗散能力和暗恢复能力也显著降低,发生光抑制的可能性增大.当水温升高到9～10℃时,ΔFV/Fm和非光化学淬灭(NPQ)随光强降低和实验天数的增加逐渐得到恢复.因而,水温9～10℃可能是冬季菹草进行正常光合作用的临界温度;菹草在低温(<7℃)、高光照条件下易发生光抑制,导致PSII受到伤害.     

菹草石芽萌发及幼苗生长对光、温因子的响应

试验分冬夏2季进行.冬季采用盆栽试验方法,研究了菹草石芽在弱光环境下的萌发和幼苗生长以及弱光对菹草叶片光合效率的影响.冬季试验共设6个光照处理,即:2×104～5×104(对照,晴天中午最大[光]照度)、350～450、160～260、60～80、30～50、0～30 lx,试验时间为67 d.夏季试验在光照培养箱内进行,研究高温条件下石芽萌发的[光]照度阈值.夏季试验设6个光照处理,即:1 400、970、660、450、160、120 lx.结果表明:(1)冬季试验,栽培45 d时菹草石芽全部萌发,光照对石芽萌发无显著影响;夏季水温(32±1) ℃条件下,石芽萌发的[光]照度阈值为120～160 lx,[光]照度达到1 400 lx,石芽就能够达到自然萌发率.(2)菹草幼苗生长前期,5个弱光处理菹草株高生长速率(约1.20 cm·d-1)快于光照较充足的对照(0.92 cm·d-1);幼苗生长后期,对照菹草生长速率(3.15 cm·d-1)快于5个弱光处理菹草生长速率(1.09 cm·d-1),且各处理叶片数并未随株高的增加而增加.(3)冬季试验,菹草石芽萌发后的第39天,对照及各处理菹草幼苗的PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ光量子产量(ΦPSⅡ)、光化学淬灭系数(qp)随着[光]照度的减弱而下降,弱光对菹草幼苗光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)产生显著影响;非光化学淬灭系数(qn)随[光]照度的减弱而增加,对菹草幼苗叶片PSⅡ有一定的保护作用.(4)从快速光响应曲线可以看出,长期光照不足导致菹草植株的光响应能力显著降低.     

菹草生长对沉积物间隙水中各形态磷浓度的影响

通过人工构建湖泊生态系统,用湖泊沉积物的上层泥和下层泥分别代表清淤前后的2种基质,研究菹草(Potamogeton crispus)生长对沉积物不同层次间隙水中各形态磷浓度的影响.垂直方向上,将2种基质中的间隙水分为表层、中层和底层3个层次.结果表明,菹草生长能够不同程度地降低各层间隙水中磷浓度,上层泥和下层泥2种基质均表现为表层间隙水溶解性总磷(DTP)和溶解性活性磷(SRP)含量降低幅度最大,DTP含量分别降低68.97％和83.09％,SRP含量分别降低54.57％和96.02％.菹草的吸收作用使得各层间隙水中磷浓度均低于无沉水植物的对照组.试验结束时,2种沉积物中TP含量降低幅度差异不显著,说明疏浚前后种植菹草均可有效控制湖泊内源磷污染.     

菹草在低浓度含铜尾水净化过程中的毒性研究

将菹草(Potamogeton crispus)种植于不同浓度的含游离态(CuSO4)和螯合态(EDTA-Cu)铜离子模拟尾水中,定期观测菹草在不同浓度、不同形态含铜尾水中的生长状况,并用水下饱和脉冲叶绿素荧光仪测定菹草光合作用PSⅡ有效荧光产量(Fv/Fm)、光化学荧光淬灭系数(qP)和非光化学荧光淬灭系数(qN)等指标,以研究菹草在低浓度含铜尾水净化过程中的生态效应。结果表明,菹草对铜离子有吸附或富集作用,且对CuSO4的吸附或富集能力大于EDTA-Cu。CuSO4对菹草的毒性作用小,且对菹草生长有一定的促进作用;随着铜离子浓度(0.01、0.3、0.5和1.0 mg·L-1)的递增,CuSO4各试验组菹草叶片数增加量分别是对照组的292.5%、390.0%、155.0%和45.0%。而EDTA-Cu在试验浓度范围内对菹草的生长影响较小,毒性作用不明显。随游离态和螯合态铜离子浓度的提高,相对光合电子传递速率(RET)、Fv/Fm、qP和qN变化明显,表明一定浓度的铜离子增强了菹草的光电子传递速率和份额,铜离子对PSⅡ反应中心的毒性作用较小,可以促进其光合作用。     

泥沙沉降对长江水体富营养化相关因素的影响初探

针对三峡库区重庆段蓄水后,泥沙沉降对长江水体富营养化相关因素的影响进行了研究。三峡库区含沙量大,泥沙对水环境的影响不容忽视。为准确预测成库后三峡库区重庆段富营养化的发生,文章通过泥沙沉降对水质影响静态模拟试验,研究了长江原水的泥沙沉降对水体中叶绿素a、透明度、溶解性总磷、溶解性总氮、浊度等指标的影响。结果表明:三峡成库后泥沙更易沉降,引起水体浊度降低、透明度增大,这可能利于藻类的生长,导致叶绿素a的质量浓度增加,同时,泥沙沉降也使水体的溶解性氮磷比增大,对富营养化发生有抑制作用。     

外源脱落酸(ABA)增强菹草抗镉(Cd2+)胁迫能力

以高等沉水植物菹草(Potamogen crispus)为试验材料,观察4 mg·L-1 Cd2 胁迫条件下外施脱落酸(abscisic acid,ABA)对菹草某些生理生化指标的影响.结果表明,外施ABA可以明显减轻Cd2 毒害作用,使Cd2 胁迫下菹草叶片中叶绿素、可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸含量增加,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性提高,过氧化物酶(POD)活性和O(-)/(·)2产生速率降低,且以施用2.5～5 μmol·L-1 ABA效果最好.     

光照对菹草（Potamogeton cripus）幼苗生长发育和光合荧光特性的影响

用遮光法获得5%、1%、0.5%、0.1%、0.05%伞光照共5个不同光照强度的水体,将菹草(Potamogeton cripus)萌发幼苗置于上述水体.观测幼苗生长发育状况,并利用水下饱和脉冲荧光仪(DIVING-PAM)测定其光合荧光特性.结果表明:(1)不同光照强度对菹草幼苗生长发育影响显著;随光强减弱,菹草幼苗株高、叶片数、生物量增长率显著降低(P<0.01);(2)菹草幼苗的最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)随光强减弱而降低,实验第16天时,0.5%、0.1%、0.05%实验组Fv/Fm值仅为对照组的65%、53%和42%;(3)随光强减弱,幼苗吸收光能用于光化学电子传递的份额(qP)减少,第16天时,0.5%、0.1%、0.05%实验组的qP值为对照组的68%、67%、53%;(4)光强减弱导致0.5%实验组qN先升高后降低,0.1%、0.05%实验组的qN值则表现出显著下降趋势,表明幼苘在较低光强条件下,叶片PSII光能转换效率显著下降,进入PSII光化学过程的激发能减少,热耗散激发能也相应减少;(5)光强减弱导致电子在光合链中的传递速率(ETR)品著下降,第16天时,1%、0.5%、0.1%、0.05%实验组ETR分别为对照的70%、63%、56%、36%,导致参与CO2的电子减少,光合作用降低.快速光响应曲线测定结果表明,幼苗ETRmax随光强减弱呈下降趋势,光响应能力随光强的减弱显著下降.     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

Globalization of the Cashmere Market and the Decline of Large Mammals in Central Asia

As drivers of terrestrial ecosystems, humans have replaced large carnivores in most areas, and human influence not only exerts striking ecological pressures on biodiversity at local scales but also has indirect effects in distant corners of the world. We suggest that the multibillion dollar cashmere industry creates economic motivations that link western fashion preferences for cashmere to land use in Central Asia. This penchant for stylish clothing, in turn, encourages herders to increase livestock production which affects persistence of over 6 endangered large mammals in these remote, arid ecosystems. We hypothesized that global trade in cashmere has strong negative effects on native large mammals of deserts and grassland where cashmere‐producing goats are raised. We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass of native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviorally based fieldwork to test our hypothesis. In Mongolia increases in domestic goat production were associated with a 3‐fold increase in local profits for herders coexisting with endangered saiga (Saiga tatarica).That increasing domestic grazing pressure carries fitness consequences was inferred on the basis of an approximately 4‐fold difference in juvenile recruitment among blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur)in trans‐Himalayan India. Across 7 study areas in Mongolia, India, and China's Tibetan Plateau, native ungulate biomass is now <5% that of domestic species. Such trends suggest ecosystem degradation and decreased capacity for the persistence of native species, including at least 8 Asian endemic species: saiga, chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), snow leopard(Panthera uncia), khulan(Equus hemionus), kiang (E. kiang), takhi (E. przewalski), and wild yak (Bos mutus). Our results suggest striking yet indirect and unintended actions that link trophic‐level effects to markets induced by the trade for cashmere. Globalización del Mercado de Cachemira y la Declinación de Mamíferos Mayores en Asia Central     

The lichen-rich coastal heath vegetation on the isle of Anholt, Denmark — conservation and management

The high conservational value of the lichen-rich vegetation and landscape of the marine foreland Ørkenen on the isle of Anholt is treated from a Danish as well as a European perspective. The sensitivity of the lichen-rich vegetation to physical disturbance is emphasized. The impact of invasive species such asPinus mugo as well as the effect of atmospheric deposition of nutrients on the heaths at Anholt is described. Considerations related to the development of a management plan for Ørkenen are presented.     

Behavior and ecology of Old World Luperini beetles of the genusAulacophora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Summary The attraction of Old World leaf beetles in the genusAulacophora to kairomones and parakairomones which are effective lures for New WorldDiabrotica andAcalymma were investigated. Beetles captured on sticky traps baited with single and multicomponent lures were no different from the control traps for two species ofAulacophora. Yellow colored traps and squash blossoms are attractive toAulacophora beetles which detect sub-microgram quantities of cucurbitacins on silica gel. Leaf feeding behavior and flight activity data are correlated with varietal preference of threeAulacophora species. The common response byDiabrotica andAulacophora to cucurbitacins reinforces the two groups' coevolutionary association with the Cucurbitaceae. The apparent lack of a common response toCucurbita blossom volatiles suggests recent evolutionary pathways are substantially different for these two groups of beetles.     

Importance of greater interdisciplinarity and geographic scope when tackling the driving forces behind biological invasions

Invasive non-native species are important drivers of ecosystem change, yet the driving forces of biological invasions themselves are poorly understood. Such information is essential to ensure policies focus on the most relevant drivers, and that future scenarios capture the full range of potential outcomes for invasive non-native species. I carried out a bibliometric analysis of articles published from 2000 to 2020 that address either invasive non-native species or biodiversity and ecosystem services and that also mention 1 or more drivers of ecosystem change. I examined 5 indirect drivers (demographic, economic, governance, sociocultural, and technological) and 6 direct drivers (climate change, invasive non-native species, land-use or sea-use change, natural hazards, pollution, and resource extraction). Using the Web of Science core collection of citation indexes, I undertook searches of article titles and keywords and retrieved 27,462 articles addressing invasive non-native species and 110,087 articles dealing with biodiversity or ecosystem services. Most research to date on biological invasions as well as on biodiversity and ecosystem services has focused on anthropogenic direct drivers of ecosystem change rather than indirect drivers. Yet currently, less than 18% of articles addressing biological invasions examined drivers of ecosystem change, a similar level to that found over 20 years ago for biodiversity or ecosystem services. Knowledge of the drivers of biological invasions is limited, emphasizes tractable drivers over those that require an interdisciplinary approach, and is biased toward developed economies. Drivers generally deemed important for biological invasions, such as governance and resource extraction, accounted for less than 2% of research effort. The absence of a systematic understanding of the forces that drive invasive non-native species and how they interact means that attempts to mitigate or forecast biological invasions are likely to fail. To address biological invasions requires a much better orientation of national and international research on drivers in relation to both their actual importance as well as their policy relevance.