Biological invasions and deletions: Community change in south Florida

Elizabeth A. Forys, Craig R. Allen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study used the endangered and exotic fauna of south Florida, USA, to test three non-exclusive hypotheses about community change. Over one third of the vertebrate fauna of south Florida is either endangered or exotic. We assumed that in the future, many of the currently endangered species will become extinct, while established exotics become more widespread and abundant. Using species' distributions, body mass data, and niche classifications, we compare the past (without exotics) and our predicted future (with exotics, without endangered species) vertebrate communities to determine if the future fauna would be on average smaller, more generalized feeders, or if there would be direct niche replacement. The results of the comparisons indicate that none of the hypotheses explained all of the expected changes in the vertebrate fauna of south Florida, and that the future vertebrate fauna of south Florida is likely to be very different from that of the recent past. These changes are symptomatic of the profound ecosystem-level changes occurring here. Hypotheses generated by systemic-level investigations are more likely to increase our understanding of invasions and extinctions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)341-347
Number of pages7
JournalBiological Conservation
Volume87
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Community structure
  • Endangered species
  • Exotic species
  • Invasive species
  • South Florida

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Nature and Landscape Conservation

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