Biogeographic origins and drivers of alien plant invasions in the Canary Islands

Aim Understanding the historical and contemporaneous drivers of invasion success in island systems can decisively contribute to identifying sources pathways that are more likely give rise new invaders. Based on a floristic-driven approach, we aimed at determining origins invasive alien flora Canary Islands shedding light mechanisms shaping their distribution within archipelago. Location Islands. Taxon Vascular plants. Methods An updated checklist was assembled along with complementary information related native biogeographical regions, stage invasiveness dates naturalization. Statistical models were employed describe differences number species over space time. We also used multivariate techniques evaluate competing hypotheses driving floristic composition Results provided list 149 plant certain degree invasiveness. The greatest originated from Neotropics followed by Cape Region, tropical Africa Mediterranean Basin. observed slow but steady increase numbers until 1950s, stronger thereafter. In order explain dissimilarity among islands, climatic matching hypothesis fully supported, geographic isolation contemporary human-mediated connectivity receiving less null support respectively. Main Conclusions showed Neotropical region is main source invasions Islands, outnumbering those other regions Mediterranean-type bioclimate. assembly archipelago appears be driven primarily climate, distance playing role. This study calls for archipelago-dependent assessments underlying insular systems.