Species that expand their range in response to human-induced environmental perturbations, for instance due to climate or land use change, have been recently termed neonatives. Neonative species differ, biogeographically, from both native species (i.e. species that are present in areas where they evolved or arrived by natural means) and introduced species (also called alien species). While introduced species have been un-/intentionally moved by humans into areas in which they did not naturally occur, neonative species have expanded their range via natural dispersal in response to anthropogenic environmental changes. As the phenomenon of species that expand their ranges seems to be increasing and it undisputed, it has still to be determined to which degree neonative species fundamentally differ from introduced species. In this workshop, we will bring together internationally leading experts in invasion biology and environmental sciences to highlight cutting-edge advances in the research of neonative and introduced species and illustrate their fundamental differences. We will also propose novel ways to investigate those differences and discuss their implications for management. During the event, the experts will:


present one or few relevant papers they recently authored concerning neonative/introduced species.
address (through breakout groups and full-group sessions with other experts and 12 doctoral students) specific research questions (see below) regarding neonative/introduced species and propose ways forward.

Among others, the following questions will be addressed. - Why is it important to distinguish between neonative and introduced species and what is the status of the debate regarding the "neonative" neologism? - Are there fundamental differences in how biotic interactions (both positive and negative) affect neonative and introduced species? - Do neonative and introduced species fundamentally differ in traits that determine their invasion success? - Are neonative and introduced species differently represented across taxonomic or functional groups? - Are ecological studies on neonative species more or less likely to encounter context-dependence than those regarding introduced species? - Are neonative species more or less likely than introduced species to impact recipient ecosystems and human societies? - Do neonative and introduced species require two distinct management frameworks/approaches?