Proposal of a new vulnerability index for the eradication of 𝘈𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘢 (P. Miller) Swingle

Abstract

The spread of invasive alien plant species (IAPs) remains one of the biggest threats to plant conservation and habitat restoration efforts worldwide but especially so in the Mediterranean. One such invasive alien plant that has spread in the Mediterranean lands is Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae). The dioecious species tends to spread through seed dispersal if both male and female trees are present but is far more invasive through clonal spread. Clones are usually unisexual, which may be an advantage for the environmental manager since this reduces further spread by sexually produced propagules. [excerpt]