Aliens & Flames: a new research initiative joining fire behaviour and invasion ecology

Abstract

Wildfires and alien plant invasions are two major environmental concerns in Portugal. Some of the most aggressive invasive plant species are fire-adapted, which causes two problems: on one hand, wildfires may aggravate the invasions and promote the expansion of these species; on the other hand, the expansion of these plant species increases the risk of wildfires. This is the case of Acacia dealbata Link. and Hakea sericea Schrader, two species native to Australia that are problematic invaders in Portugal. Aliens & Flames is an innovative approach which unites two branches of science that have been following two separate paths and have never been explored together in fire-adapted exotic plant species in Europe: fire behaviour and invasion ecology. This work provides insights into the Aliens & Flames project, with a particular focus on the methodology and the expected results.