Description:    Understanding the factors which affect the distribution of alien plants in arid islands is complicated by the complex and stochastic nature of the invasion process per se , the harsh environmental conditions, and the low number of researchers and sampling effort. We present the results of the most comprehensive inventory to date of alien vascular plant species occurring in Socotra Island, a global biodiversity hotspot just beginning to be developed. A floristic survey was conducted between 2006 and 2008 in 36 grid cells of 10 × 10 km. We integrated this data from this survey with those from scientific literature. We recorded 88 alien plant species. Tree and herbaceous species were the most common growth forms. Species from Asia and edible species were prevalent. We identified 80 species considered weeds worldwide with 〉50 % adapted to arid conditions. We used a two-part model to analyze the spatial distribution of naturalized and alien plant species in relation to environmental and anthropogenic factors. Altitude and human-related factors play a significant role in the distribution of both naturalized and invasive species. Notably, the latter can potentially spread mainly in the alluvial basal areas. This study underpins the knowledge about alien species and their spatial distribution in Socotra Island. It provides a baseline for plant invasion management and contributes data for the analyses of invasion processes on islands worldwide. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11258-012-0098-1 Authors Ali S. Senan, Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India Federico Tomasetto, Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand Alessio Farcomeni, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Rayasamuda K. Somashekar, Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India Fabio Attorre, Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy Journal Plant Ecology Online ISSN 1573-5052 Print ISSN 1385-0237

Description:    Marine protected areas (MPAs) are attracting widespread attention worldwide as a tool for fishery management and marine ecosystem conservation. The establishment of MPAs has increased greatly in recent years mostly due to international commitments to the establishment of a global network of MPAs by 2012. MPAs have the potential to strongly affect the fishing industry, and their success depends, at least partly, on fishers’ attitudes towards this management measure. However, research on MPAs tends to focus on the ecological and conservation aspects of this management approach and not on its human dimensions. Studies in attitudes, perceptions, beliefs and preferences related to MPA issues have been identified as priority social science topics in need of research. We present a ‘rapid review’, conducted systematically, of the literature published up to September 2009 and aimed at identifying the most investigated topics related to commercial fishers’ attitudes towards MPAs, describing the main findings from these studies, and analysing the implications for management. Most published work focuses on fishers’ attitudes towards issues of governance, conservation of biodiversity and the environment, and the impact of MPAs on fishing activity. Despite the recent increase in the literature on the human dimensions of MPAs, the present review reveals that little of this literature originates from empirical studies. Hence, given the forthcoming increase in the implementation of MPAs in the near future, research on fishers’ attitudes towards these management measures is critically needed. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-18 DOI 10.1007/s10750-011-0665-9 Authors Cristina Pita, Business School, Department of Economics, University of Aberdeen, Edward Wright Building, Dunbar Street, Aberdeen, AB24 3QY UK Graham J. Pierce, Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ UK Ioannis Theodossiou, Business School, Department of Economics, University of Aberdeen, Edward Wright Building, Dunbar Street, Aberdeen, AB24 3QY UK Karen Macpherson, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, Delta House, 50 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2NP UK Journal Hydrobiologia Online ISSN 1573-5117 Print ISSN 0018-8158