Prediction from patterns in biological invasions: Towards timely information for preventive risk assessments

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Human-mediated introductions of macrofungi worldwide: Distribution patterns and impacts

Publication . Monteiro, Miguel José Ascensão Freire Parada; Reino, Luís Miguel Nunes Valente Afonso; Capinha, César Dinis Santos; Ferreira, Maria Teresa Marques

Fungi remain one of the lesser-known kingdoms, both in terms of their ecology and their significance in invasive species research. This underrepresentation reflects limited knowledge about the distribution of these taxa as a whole, and most likely stems from many of these organisms being inconspicuous and difficult to identify. In this work, we specifically analyzed the biogeographical patterns and impacts of alien macroscopic fungi, a non-pathogenic fungal group composed mainly of ectomycorrhizal and saprotroph species with a huge lack of available information about their introductions. Firstly, we created a global repository of distribution records of macrofungi outside their native ranges. This enabled us to provide a detailed representation of the distribution of alien macrofungi worldwide. Furthermore, we carried out the first comprehensive evaluation of the spatio-temporal patterns of alien macrofungi distributions and how these patterns are driven and shaped by some geographical, socio-economic and climatic factors. Thus, it was possible to observe a considerable increase in the number of alien macrofungi species over time, but especially during the last century. In addition, economic development and mean annual temperature were found to drive regional differences in alien species richness, while geographic distance and thermal similarity were significant drivers of compositional similarities between regions. Finally, we also provided the first comprehensive global database on negative and positive impacts of alien macrofungi. It was observed that recorded impacts of these species encompass a wide variety of effects on humans, native and alien plant taxa, other fungi and animal species and soil biochemistry. Altogether, this work showed the constraints of studying some of the most unknown alien groups, presented methods to understand their current situation as well as gave some ideas and suggestions for further studies.

2023-10-24Tese de doutoramento

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Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Número da atribuição

COVID/BD/151685/2021