plant escape

Ecologists hypothesize that alien species of plants may become invasive in new environments because they can escape their natural enemies (predators, parasites, pathogens,...). Fine. But can this also be true for native species that colonize new, that is physically separate, habitats?

Yes, according to Canadian researchers (MacKay, James & Peter Kotanen. "Local escape of an invasive plant from above-ground and below-ground enemies in its native area." Journal of Ecology, 96-6, pp. 1152-1161). They found that common ragweed (which does escape it normal enemies in Europe) does this in its native environment by moving from site to site.

So? Just another good reason to proceed with ecological restoration. Think about it.