Invasion biology

The importance of invasive species in a globalized world has been highlighted several times. The complex processes and mechanisms are, however, not well understood. We study selected invasive species in order to test which factors trigger invasiveness. In this context, comparisons of closely related invasive and non-invasive species are very interesting. A comprehensive approach involving field studies, population genetics, and life-history parameters will reveal factors promoting invasiveness. Currently we use zebra mussels (Dreissena spp.) and selected freshwater gastropods. Those invasions provide large scale “quasi experiments” for biogeographical processes such as range dynamics.