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ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4403-4774
Access Type
Open Access Thesis
Document Type
thesis
Degree Program
Environmental Conservation
Degree Type
Master of Science (M.S.)
Year Degree Awarded
2022
Month Degree Awarded
September
Abstract
Sleeper populations are established populations of a non-native species whose population growth is limited by one or more abiotic or biotic conditions, such as climate change. While the northeastern US is predicted to be a hotspot for future invasions, identifying potential sleeper populations before they become invasive can inform proactive, climate-smart invasive species management. I focused on 169 introduced species that are established in one or more northeastern states. I used the Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) framework to systematically identify and review the peer-reviewed literature for these candidate species to quantify their negative ecological and socioeconomic impacts. I identified 49 plants with ‘major’ impacts linked to the decline of multiple native species or loss of community diversity. Using high negative ecological impact, habitat suitability, and climate suitability as selection criteria, I highlight 37 species as high priority for management in the North Atlantic –Appalachian Region.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/30861190
First Advisor
Bethany Bradley
Second Advisor
Toni Lyn Morelli
Individual EICAT Reports
Appendix B_README_OUhuru.txt (2 kB)
Sleeper Species Database - EICAT assessment scores for all potential sleeper species, and impact mechanisms
Appendix C. Climate Envelopes for 129 Species with high abundance.zip (17245 kB)
Climate Envelopes for 129 Species with high abundance
Recommended Citation
O'Uhuru, Ayodelé C., "Identifying New Invasives In The Face Of Climate Change: A Focus On Sleeper Populations" (2022). Masters Theses. 1247.
https://doi.org/10.7275/30861190
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/masters_theses_2/1247
Included in
Climate Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Other Environmental Sciences Commons