Science Café

For the first time in its history, Science Café will be held in English. Our two guests, prof. Petr Pyšek and prof. Dave Richardson will present the global problem of plant invasions, which threaten not only natural ecosystems but also human well-being. PETR PYŠEK: SOME THINGS WERE BETTER LOST THAN FOUND: PLANT INVASIONS IN THE CURRENT WORLD Biological invasions are a global consequence of an increasingly connected world and the rise in human population size. The number of species introduced outside their native distribution range where they successfully naturalized is rapidly increasing, currently exceeding 4% of the world flora. Many naturalized species become invasive, spread rapidly and cause significant harm by disrupting natural habitats, reducing the number of native species, increasing the risk of native species extinction, and altering how ecosystems work by changing nutrient levels and water regime. The talk will demonstrate how we understand the historical processes of human-caused plant exchange