Linking scale dependent processes in invasions

Abstract

The overarching goal of this volume was to examine how conceptual ecology informs our understanding of species invasions, while simultaneously viewing species invasions as potential tests of ecological theory (see Chapter 1). As one half the purpose of the present volume attests to, ecological theory is useful for con-textualizing when and how species invade (e.g., Shea and Chesson 2002). More than this, and as the second halfofthis volume's purpose, species invasions allow us to see hypothesized dynamics, and to test major ideas in ecology and evolution (e.g., Lodge 1993, Sax et al, 2005). Throughout this volume authors have explicitly explored the advances in knowledge gained by combining conceptual ecology with invasion ecology. © 2006 Springer. All Rights Reserved.