The ecology of alien mammals: distribution, impacts and threats.

Biological invasions, a major driver of biodiversity loss, are on the rise, threatening native biotas and human well-being. Mammals are the most widespread taxa of invasive animals and, simultaneously, they are among the most threatened Tetrapods. It is imperative to effectively inform stakeholders and the public about the negative impact invasive alien mammals can exert and stress the importance of prevention measures. Considering the rapid global changes we are witnessing, which are already leading to increased extinction and introduction rates, paramount is to have a solid understanding of the ecology of alien species. Human-related factors can shape alien species’ distributions, and under global changes, it is essential to understand why those species are present where observed, identifying modifiable human behaviors to limit their spread. This allows making informed management and conservation decisions, notably when those decisions may need to be context-, species-, or population-specific. Addressing some of these points, in my PhD thesis I investigated a subset of highly invasive alien mammals of European Union concern, and I provided novel information on alien mammals’ potential distribution (and its drivers). I also explored globally the threats alien mammals are experiencing in their native range. With this work, I seek to contribute to invasion ecology’s academic understanding, while supplying a solid foundation for evidence-based strategies and aiding the proactive development of biodiversity loss mitigation strategies.