Research is also needed on the ecosystem impacts of invasions. Much of the plant invasion problem stems from socioeconomic, rather than ecological, factors. Attempts to treat weed invasion problems will fail unless the underlying causes of the problem are identified and dealt with. A rational framework for setting management objectives and priorities has to be adopted. Weed problems are too numerous, too extensive, and too pervasive to allow dissipative use of resources through ad hoc decisions.
Plant invasions are a major threat to biodiversity worldwide.
Unless conservation biologists, land managers, and policy makers respond to the problem now, we face a world dominated by a small aggressive fraction of the world's plant species. Discussion Points Epidemiology models for spread of disease can be used to look at spread and control strategies for exotic plants. Fire spread models are a good analogy also. It seems like many invasions are caused by serendipity.