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The study of insular systems has a long history in ecology and biogeography. Island plants often differ remarkably from their noninsular counterparts, constituting excellent models for exploring eco-evolutionary processes. Trait-based approaches can help to answer important questions in island biogeography, yet plant trait patterns on islands remain understudied. We discuss three key hypotheses linking functional ecology to island biogeography: (i) plants in insular systems are characterized by distinct functional trait syndromes (compared with noninsular environments); (ii) these syndromes differ between true islands and terrestrial habitat islands; and (iii) island characteristics influence trait syndromes in a predictable manner. We are convinced that implementing trait-based comparative approaches would considerably further our understanding of plant ecology and evolution in insular systems. Trait-based approaches may provide important insights into the dynamics of insular systems (i.e., true islands and terrestrial habitat islands) and can help to address key questions in island biogeography. However, the study of plant traits on islands is in its infancy and a robust framework tailored to island biogeography is lacking. Plants in insular systems, compared with the mainland, experience unique eco-evolutionary histories and are influenced by specific processes such as those related to isolation. These factors should be reflected in specific patterns of plant traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 14 problematic invasive woody plants can be classified into 4 spatial patterns • Presence and abundance on urban-rural gradient type differs by plant species • Abundance of IWP is explained more by urban-rural gradient type than road type • IWP species may be common in urban sector type but not necessarily abundant • Overall abundance of target species in urban sector lower than other sectors Tropical Pacific island countries, many of which are less-developed, are experiencing invasions of alien plant species at rates faster than areas of comparable size elsewhere. In this paper we examine the relationship between the presence, abundance, and richness of 14 invasive woody plant (IWP) species and level of urbanization and road type in the Greater Suva Urban Area (GSUA), Fiji. One hundred and fifty-four sample locations within a 29 km transect traversing urban, peri-urban and rural land sectors on local, collector and arterial roads were surveyed. We analyzed the 14 species for frequency of occurrence across the urban-rural gradient and found spatial patterns of IWP presence differed by species. We analyzed the abundance of seven species using multivariable regression and found abundance was more often influenced by urban-rural sector than road type, though road type had a significant effect for some species. We conclude by offering plausible explanations for differences attributed to modes of dispersal, introduction history and human activities. We include supplementary material providing detailed characterization of biology, ecology, and history of the 14 target species. These findings are expected to help inform risk assessments and management of IWP in other tropical urban-rural gradients, and especially small island developing states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper comments and discusses the article ‘Evaluating the influence of candidate terrestrial protected areas on coral reef condition in Fiji׳ by Klein et al. in Marine Policy 44 2014. Klein et al. integrate land-sea planning by optimising the design of Fiji׳s expanded protected area network to benefit coral reefs, while maintaining a terrestrial network that is representative of Fiji׳s various terrestrial ecosystems. They discuss the benefits of various spatial conservation models compared to a candidate protected area network proposed by Fiji׳s Protected Area Committee (FPAC), which is based on expert knowledge and a scoring system. This paper argues that their analyses are best interpreted as the FPAC network outperforming the models proposed by Klein et al. in protecting terrestrial biodiversity. The FPAC network performs better because it includes data that was not available for spatial modelling, especially the percentage of endemic species per ecosystem and the practicalities of protecting an area earmarked for conservation. This suggests that expert knowledge can be an important resource for conservation planning, especially in developing countries, and that spatial conservation planning should harness this knowledge. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Global change is altering interactions between ecological disturbances. We review interactions between tropical cyclones and fires that affect woody biomes in many islands and coastal areas. Cyclone-induced damage to trees can increase fuel loads on the ground and dryness in the understory, which increases the likelihood, intensity, and area of subsequent fires. In forest biomes, cyclone–fire interactions may initiate a grass–fire cycle and establish stable open-canopy biomes. In cyclone-prone regions, frequent cyclone-enhanced fires may generate and maintain stable open-canopy biomes (e.g., savannas and woodlands). We discuss how global change is transforming fire and cyclone regimes, extensively altering cyclone–fire interactions. These altered cyclone–fire interactions are shifting biomes away from historical states and causing loss of biodiversity. Tropical cyclone–fire interactions are key drivers of the distribution, composition, and dynamics of woody biomes on islands and in coastal regions. Cyclone-induced damage to trees can increase fuel loads on the ground and dryness in the understory, which in turn increase the likelihood, intensity, and area of subsequent fires. Historically, cyclone–fire interactions have been rare in closed-canopy forests, but have maintained open-canopy savanna and woodland biomes via cyclone-enhanced fires. Global change is modifying cyclone and fire regimes worldwide, producing increased frequencies and intensities of cyclone–fire interactions that change biomes and their distributions. Increased frequencies and intensities of cyclone–fire interactions shift closed-canopy forests into open, degraded biome states and open-canopy savannas and woodlands into treeless grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]