Spatial Scale and the Underestimation of Stream Fish Community Invadedness

Abstract

Classifying populations as native or nonnative requires well-defined range boundaries for species. While many studies define native status according to large biogeographic realms, natural dispersal barriers often limit species distributions at regional or smaller spatial extents. As such, native/nonnative definitions are inherently scale-dependent and estimates of community invadedness thus depend on the spatial resolution at which native status is defined. For example, nonnative species can be introduced among realms, among regions within realms, and among ecological provinces within regions (hereafter, simply “provinces”). By explicitly considering the scale-dependency of native/nonnative status definitions, we can more effectively compare results across studies, more comprehensively evaluate the degree of invasion levels, and more objectively communicate the native status of a species.