Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Where are the Alien Invasions Happening?
Vascular plants (e.g. ferns) are invading around the world (image credit: Dawson et al. 2017).
Where are the most likely places for an invasive species to thrive? It turns out: islands and coastal regions. Researchers out of Durham University in the United Kingdom, as well as multiple other universities, recently published a paper detailing the global hot spots for invasive species. The most inundated: the Hawaiian Islands, New Zealand's North Island, and the Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia. These data help to inform mitigation strategies preventing further spread of invasive species that ultimately endanger local plants and animals. Check out this BBC Science and Environment Summary, or read the full paper here.
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Where are the Alien Invasions Happening?
Jesse Rogerson, PhD
Jesse is a passionate scientist, educator, and science communicator. As an assistant professor at York University in the Department of Science, Technology, and Society, he teaches three classes: History of Astronomy, Introduction to Astronomy, and Exploring the Solar System. He frequently collaborates with the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and lends his expert voice to the Ingenium Channel. Jesse is an astrophysicist, and his research explores how super massive black holes evolve through time. Whether in the classroom, through social media, or on TV, he encourages conversations about how science and society intersect, and why science is relevant in our daily lives.
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