Water Resources Research Act Program

Principal Investigators: Matt Corsi

Abstract: The introduction and spread of invasive species is recognized as one of the major threats to the continued function of many ecosystems (1, 2). Understanding how invasive species colonize novel environments is a difficult biological problem. However, understanding the circumstances in which invasion leads to hybridization between exotic and native taxa is even more problematic (3). The rate of hybridization is increasing as a result of several anthropogenic factors including ecological degradation and homogenization (4). However, interpreting the evolutionary and ecological significance of hybridization remains a challenge (5). In most cases, it is not clear what (if any) short or long-term fitness effects may result from hybridization with exotic species and the effects of hybridization are likely dependent on ecological context (6). This fact coupled with some disagreement about how to even define hybridization (3, 7) has led to confusion and controversy about how hybrid populations should be managed and what role hybrids might play in conservation plans (3, 8, 9).