The introduction of invasive species is one of the most potent mechanisms by which humans are altering the planet, and a significant contributor to the homogenization of global biota. Recent studies have identified species introduction as the leading or second most important mechanism of biodiversity loss in lakes. Recognition of human introductions of species dates back to at least Charles Darwin, though the modern field of invasion biology can be traced to publication of Charles Elton’s (1958) seminal book The ecology of invasions by animals and plants.  Here I use ISI searches to explore Elton's influence on modern invasion ecology, and current trends in growth of the field.

Results/Conclusions

Elton’s book maintained a citation rate of <20 year^-1 for 30 years following its publication, before increasing exponentially in the early 1990s; the book was cited 186 and times in 2006 alone. About 40% of current papers that address species diversity or disturbance effects on invasion success cite Elton’s contribution. Interest in invasion ecology increased dramatically during the early 1990s for a wide array of freshwater (e.g. Dreissena polymorpha, D. bugensis, Bythotrephes longimanus, Rana catesbeiance, Late niloticus) and marine (e.g. Carcinus maenas, Caulerpa taxifolia, Mnemiopsis leidyi, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Spartina spp.) invasive species, mirroring the pattern for Elton’s book. Interestingly, this pattern is also reflected in studies of terrestrial invasive species, including Cryphonectria parasitica, Solenopsis invicta, Lymantria dispar, Sus scrota, Boiga irregularis and Rattus rattus.  In fact, the early 1990s appears to have been an awakening moment in the field of invasion ecology, which has now blossomed into an expanding discipline with more than 1000 papers published in 2006 covering most excosystems utilized by humans.