The Role of Propagule Pressure in Biological Invasions

TLDR

Propagule pressure—size, number, and arrival patterns—has emerged as a key factor influencing the establishment and spread of non‑native species, complementing species traits and environmental conditions. Larger propagules increase establishment probability by reducing demographic stochasticity, while higher propagule numbers mitigate environmental stochasticity, and repeated arrivals from diverse sources can eliminate genetic bottlenecks. Molecular studies show that ongoing propagule pressure can introduce adaptive genetic variation that promotes spread and may account for delays between initial establishment and invasive pest status.

Abstract

Although most studies of factors contributing to successful establishment and spread of non-native species have focused on species traits and characteristics (both biotic and abiotic), increasing empirical and statistical evidence implicates propagule pressure—propagule sizes, propagule numbers, and temporal and spatial patterns of propagule arrival—as important in both facets of invasion. Increasing propagule size enhances establishment probability primarily by lessening effects of demographic stochasticity, whereas propagule number acts primarily by diminishing impacts of environmental stochasticity. A continuing rain of propagules, particularly from a variety of sources, may erase or vitiate the expected genetic bottleneck for invasions initiated by few individuals (as most are), thereby enhancing likelihood of survival. For a few species, recent molecular evidence suggests ongoing propagule pressure aids an invasion to spread by introducing genetic variation adaptive for new areas and habitats. This phenomenon may also explain some time lags between establishment of a non-native species and its spread to become an invasive pest.