Trade, traits and trouble? The causes and consequences of global biotic exchange Event

Humans have been transporting and introducing organisms from their regions of origin to new parts of the world for thousands of years. However, I will discuss recent work that shows
how the rate of biotic exchange worldwide has increased dramatically in the most recent centuries and decades, largely as a result of increasingly globalised trade. This work draws upon recently compiled global databases that catalogue records of establishment by introduced species. For example, the Global Naturalised Alien Flora (GloNAF) has revealed clear patterns in the flows of species among continents. Across taxonomic groups, hotspots for established introduced species are predominantly on islands and in coastal regions. While trade and human activity are clearly important in explaining these global patterns, I will explain how traits may still play a role. Finally, I will touch upon the potential future impacts of invasive plants, specifically under climate change.