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Invasive alien species are one of the major threats to global biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, nature's contributions to people and human health. While scenarios about potential future developments have been available for other global change drivers for quite some time, we largely lack an understanding of how biological invasions might unfold in the future across spatial scales. Based on previous work on global invasion scenarios, we developed a workflow to downscale global scenarios to a regional and policy-relevant context. We applied this workflow at the European scale to create four European scenarios of biological invasions until 2050 that consider different environmental, socio-economic and socio-cultural trajectories, namely the European Alien Species Narratives (Eur-ASNs). We compared the Eur-ASNs with their previously published global counterparts (Global-ASNs), assessing changes in 26 scenario variables. This assessment showed a high consistency between global and European scenarios in the logic and assumptions of the scenario variables. However, several discrepancies in scenario variable trends were detected that could be attributed to scale differences. This suggests that the workflow is able to capture scale-dependent differences across scenarios. We also compared the Global- and Eur-ASNs with the widely used Global and European Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), a set of scenarios developed in the context of climate change to capture different future socio-economic trends. Our comparison showed considerable divergences in the scenario space occupied by the different scenarios, with overall larger differences between the ASNs and SSPs than across scales (global vs. European) within the scenario initiatives. Given the differences between the ASNs and SSPs, it seems that the SSPs do not adequately capture the scenario space relevant to understanding the complex future of biological invasions. This underlines the importance of developing independent b

Functional traits mediate how species and communities respond to (or affect) environmental gradients. These are impacted by global change, which has led to e.g. climate change and land-use change, affecting soil conditions, species richness and functional diversity in, among others, xerothermic (respectively dry or semidry) grasslands. Within the last decades, the dominance of grass species like Bromus erectus has increased in such grasslands in Central Germany, but factors driving their intraspecific trait variability (ITV) are not yet well understood. The aim of our study was, on the one hand, to compare the functional trait composition of two grassland types, namely dry and semidry, using multi- and single-trait approaches and to assess the effects of soil properties on these traits and, on the other hand, to reveal differences in functional traits and their ITV between the five dominant grasses B. erectus, Brachypodium pinnatum, Festuca rupicola, Helictotrichon pratense and Stipa capillata. Based on vegetation relevés, functional traits (VPH – vegetative plant height, LDM – leaf dry mass, LA – leaf area, SLA – specific leaf area, LDMC – leaf dry matter content, LNC – leaf nitrogen concentration, LCC – leaf carbon concentration, leaf C/N ratio) were measured and soil factors (soil depth, pH value, CaCO3 content, soil N and C content, soil C/N ratio) analysed. For each plot, the community weighted mean (CWM) of all functional traits was calculated to determine differences between the two grassland types and the coefficient of variation was used for interpreting differences in the ITV between the five grasses. There were minor differences between dry and semidry grasslands in the CWM of the functional traits LDM, LA, LNC and LCC, while other traits did not differ between the two grassland types. Soil factors had little effects on the trait composition of dry and semidry grasslands, although soil depth, CaCO3 content and C/N ratio had the greatest influence on CWM a

Research in grassland ecosystems worldwide has highlighted the crucial role many burrowing herbivore mammals provide as so-called “ecosystem engineers”. Many of these examples come from North America and have mostly been focused on Prairie Dogs (Cynomys sp.), which, due to their burrowing and grazing activities, are considered as a species of high ecological importance. Multiple studies have shown that their loss reduces grassland ecosystem functions and that their activities increase plant, arthropod, bird and mammal biodiversity, grassland heterogeneity, provide benefits to cattle, among many other key ecological roles. However, prairie dog species are distributed throughout multiple landscapes in North America, and most of the studies have been on mixed prairie grasslands. It is therefore not surprising that, when comparing the effects of different prairie dog species across ecoregions, the role of prairie dogs is not as clear and results vary, depending on spatial context, type of grasslands, climate and environmental conditions. Yet, grasslands are considered as some of the most highly threatened ecosystems, having high rates of conversion, desertification and biodiversity loss. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the effects prairie dog species have on the ecosystem. In this thesis, I focus on the Mexican prairie dog (C. mexicanus), a species in drastic decline due to habitat loss, caused by agriculture, overgrazing, human settlement, fragmentation, diseases (e.g. plague) and past eradication programs. C. mexicanus is considered endangered by the IUCN red list of threatened species and The Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It is also endemic to the Grassland Priority Conservation Area (GPCA) of El Tokio, located in Northeast Mexico within the Chihuahuan desert ecoregion and designated as a GPCA by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (a cooperation between Canada, U.S. and Mexico) in 2009. Grasslands

1. Invasive alien species are one of the major threats to global biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, nature's contributions to people and human health. While scenarios about potential future developments have been available for other global change drivers for quite some time, we largely lack an understanding of how biological invasions might unfold in the future across spatial scales. 2. Based on previous work on global invasion scenarios, we developed a workflow to downscale global scenarios to a regional and policy-relevant context. We applied this workflow at the European scale to create four European scenarios of biological invasions until 2050 that consider different environmental, socio-economic and socio-cultural trajectories, namely the European Alien Species Narratives (Eur-ASNs). 3. We compared the Eur-ASNs with their previously published global counterparts (Global-ASNs), assessing changes in 26 scenario variables. This assessment showed a high consistency between global and European scenarios in the logic and assumptions of the scenario variables. However, several discrepancies in scenario variable trends were detected that could be attributed to scale differences. This suggests that the workflow is able to capture scale-dependent differences across scenarios. 4. We also compared the Global- and Eur-ASNs with the widely used Global and European Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), a set of scenarios developed in the context of climate change to capture different future socio-economic trends. Our comparison showed considerable divergences in the scenario space occupied by the different scenarios, with overall larger differences between the ASNs and SSPs than across scales (global vs. European) within the scenario initiatives. 5. Given the differences between the ASNs and SSPs, it seems that the SSPs do not adequately capture the scenario space relevant to understanding the complex future of biological invasions. This underlines the importance of developin

Rhizosphere microbiome assembly is essential for plant health, but the temporal dimension of this process remains unexplored. We used a chronosequence of 150 years of the retreating Hallstätter glacier (Dachstein, Austria) to disentangle this exemplarily for the rhizosphere of three pioneer alpine plants. Time of deglaciation was an important factor shaping the rhizosphere microbiome. Microbiome functions i.e., nutrient uptake and stress protection were carried out by ubiquitous and cosmopolitan bacteria. The rhizosphere succession along the chronosequence was characterized by decreasing microbial richness but increasing specificity in plant associated bacterial community. Environmental selection is a critical factor in shaping the ecosystem, particularly in terms of plant-driven recruitment from the available edaphic pool. A higher rhizosphere microbial richness during early succession compared to late succession can be explained by the occurrence of cold-acclimated bacteria recruited from the surrounding soils. These taxa might be sensitive to changing habitat conditions that occurred at the later stages. A stronger influence of the plant host on the rhizosphere microbiome assembly was observed with increased time since deglaciation. Overall, this study indicated that well-adapted, ubiquitous microbes potentially support pioneer plants to colonize new ecosystems, while plant-specific microbes may be associated with the long-term establishment of their hosts

Invasive alien species (IAS) threaten biodiversity and human well-being. These threats may increase in the future, necessitating accurate projections of potential locations and the extent of invasions. The main aim of the IAS prototype Digital Twin (IAS pDT) is to dynamically project the level of plant invasion at habitat level across Europe under current and future climates using joint species distribution models. The pDT detects updates in data sources and versions of the datasets and model outputs, implementing the FAIR principles. The pDT’s outputs will be available via an interactive dashboard. All input and output data will be freely accessible.

To implement Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the in-troduction and spread of invasive alien species, an action plan for the prevention and man-agement of unintentional introduction and spread of invasive alien species needed to be de-veloped by EU member states. This report presents the procedure for drawing up the firstGerman action plan and its contents.The action plan is based on a previous analysis of pathways of introduction and spread ofinvasive alien species which are to be regarded as priority for Germany. For each priority path-way, a literature review was performed to propose possible actions, which were further de-veloped, assessed and substantiated with the help of bilateral talks with experts from all sec-tors involved. Based on a criteria catalogue, altogether 24 measures were selected for theaction plan. The focus of the measures is to raise awareness among the public and affectedparties and to minimize the contamination, for example of goods, vehicles and equipment, byinvasive alien species. 19 different sectors will be involved in implementing the measures. Inaddition to 20 measures specific to single pathways, four measures across sectors and path-ways were developed to allow an effective implementation. The draft measures went througha multi-stage participation and consultation process with the federal ministries involved, aconsultation with the federal states and a public participation, which ensured broad ac-ceptance of the content of the action plan.The first action plan is an important tool in nature conservation for the prevention of biologicalinvasions in Germany and was published in the federal Gazette on 9 August 2021 with an an-nouncement dated 21 June 2021. The present BfN publication also lists further measures thatcould subsequently be included after subsequent review in future action plans in order toprevent the unintentional introduction and spread of invasive species even more effectively.

Climate extremes are on the rise. Impacts of extreme climate and weather events on ecosystem services and ultimately human well-being can be partially attenuated by the organismic, structural, and functional diversity of the affected land surface. However, the ongoing transformation of terrestrial ecosystems through intensified exploitation and management may put this buffering capacity at risk. Here, we summarise the evidence that reductions in biodiversity can destabilise the functioning of ecosystems facing climate extremes. We then explore if impaired ecosystem functioning could, in turn, exacerbate climate extremes. We argue that only a comprehensive approach, incorporating both ecological and hydrometeorological perspectives, enables to understand and predict the entire feedback system between altered biodiversity and climate extremes. This ambition, however, requires a reformulation of current research priorities to emphasise the bidirectional effects that link ecology and atmospheric processes.

The goal of this task was to identify and characterise novel methods for biodiversity monitoring, and to assess their suitability for large scale deployment across Europe. To address this goal we combined extensive literature searches with expert consultation, namely using a survey and through an online workshop. The outcome of our searches is summarised in a metadatabase, which includes 282 methods or method components, which have been classified according to EBV classes addressed, target taxa, and broad method type the method relates to. We then consulted experts within the EuropaBON network and beyond, on the advantages and challenges associated with each of these novel methods, as well as their technology readiness level. In combination, our approaches revealed a wealth of novel methods and a highly active research field, with extensive emerging innovation on several fronts. However, it also revealed high variability in technology readiness, with lack of validation being a prevalent hurdle yet to be overcome for many applications of these methods (i.e. for some taxa and in some environments). Moreover, the opportunities for expansion in observations created by these novel approaches open new challenges associated to the standardisation, integration and storage of biodiversity monitoring data. Finally, the expansion of observations should take a designed approach, in order to deliver on its potential to improve representation and resolution of biodiversity monitoring, and should aim to complement rather than replace human observations.

1. Invasive alien species are one of the major threats to global biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, nature's contributions to people and human health. While scenarios about potential future developments have been available for other global change drivers for quite some time, we largely lack an understanding of how biological invasions might unfold in the future across spatial scales. 2. Based on previous work on global invasion scenarios, we developed a workflow to downscale global scenarios to a regional and policy-relevant context. We applied this workflow at the European scale to create four European scenarios of biological invasions until 2050 that consider different environmental, socio-economic and socio-cultural trajectories, namely the European Alien Species Narratives (Eur-ASNs). 3. We compared the Eur-ASNs with their previously published global counterparts (Global-ASNs), assessing changes in 26 scenario variables. This assessment showed a high consistency between global and European scenarios in the logic and assumptions of the scenario variables. However, several discrepancies in scenario variable trends were detected that could be attributed to scale differences. This suggests that the workflow is able to capture scale-dependent differences across scenarios. 4. We also compared the Global- and Eur-ASNs with the widely used Global and European Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), a set of scenarios developed in the context of climate change to capture different future socio-economic trends. Our comparison showed considerable divergences in the scenario space occupied by the different scenarios, with overall larger differences between the ASNs and SSPs than across scales (global vs. European) within the scenario initiatives. 5. Given the differences between the ASNs and SSPs, it seems that the SSPs do not adequately capture the scenario space relevant to understanding the complex future of biological invasions. This underlines the importance of developin

Australian Acacia species (‘wattles’) have been widely introduced outside Australia and some now rank among the most widespread and damaging invasive trees globally. Early-warning systems that monitor the establishment and spread of alien species or track their distribution are required to aid scientists, policy makers, land managers and other stakeholders in the prevention of further wattle introductions and the control of invasive populations already established.This chapter provides an overview of commonly used models to study wattle invasions and, specifically, modelling approaches aimed at predicting invasiveness that are useful for the early warning, assessment and monitoring of wattles. A systematic review of published literature is first conducted to understand the spatial-temporal extent of modelling applications across different wattle species, and to provide an overview on the main modelling techniques and types of data adopted in wattle research. Applications of these models are then illustrated by a set of case studies, specifically focused on the use of (i) remote sensing data, (ii) citizen science data and (iii) the application of dynamic models to address wattle invasions.The chapter integrates ideas and examples that can be useful for guiding the prediction of future wattle introductions, establishment and invasions. Even though modelling tools have their limitations, they allow the study of real-world problems through testing hypotheses and analysing potential scenarios, which is useful to address topics like the adaptive management of ever-shifting social-ecological systems, such as invasive wattles.

Gemäß der Verordnung (EU) Nr. 1143/2014 über die Prävention und das Management der Einbringung und Ausbreitung invasiver gebietsfremder Arten erstellt jeder Mitgliedstaat der Europäische Union (EU) einen Aktionsplan mit Maßnahmen, die die nicht vorsätzliche Einbringung und Ausbreitung invasiver gebietsfremder Arten verhindern sollen. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird der erste deutsche Aktionsplan vorgestellt. Der Aktionsplan stützt sich auf eine vorangegangene Analyse, in der ermittelt wurde, welche Einbringungs- und Ausbreitungspfade invasiver gebietsfremder Arten für Deutschland als prioritär anzusehen sind. Für jeden prioritären Pfad erfolgte eine Literaturrecherche nach möglichen Maßnahmenvorschlägen, die mithilfe bilateraler Gespräche mit Expertinnen und Experten aller verantwortlichen Sektoren weiterentwickelt, gewichtet und konkretisiert wurden. Anhand eines Kriterienkatalogs wurden insgesamt 24 Maßnahmen für den Aktionsplan ausgewählt. Die Schwerpunkte dieser Maßnahmen sind, die Öffentlichkeit und betroffene Fachkreise zu sensibilisieren sowie die Kontaminierung, bspw. von Gütern, Fahrzeugen und Geräten, durch invasive gebietsfremde Arten zu minimieren. 19 verschiedene Sektoren werden bei der Umsetzung der Maßnahmen eingebunden. Für eine möglichst effektive Umsetzung wurden neben 20 pfadspezifischen Maßnahmen zusätzlich 4 sektoren- und pfadübergreifende Maßnahmen entwickelt. Der erste Aktionsplan stellt ein wichtiges Instrument im Naturschutz zur Prävention biologischer Invasionen in Deutschland dar.     To implement Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014, an action plan for the prevention and management of the unintentional introduction and spread of invasive alien species needs to be developed by each EU member state. This paper presents the first German action plan. The action plan is based on a previous analysis of pathways of introduction and spread of invasive alien species which are t