Ancient Invasive Species: From Past to Present - Understanding Environmental Impact Through Time

Explore a fascinating 31-minute video lecture where Dr. Alycia Stigall, a paleontology and ancient species invasion expert, delves into groundbreaking research about species invasions that occurred over 400 million years ago and their relevance to modern ecological challenges. Learn about the fundamental concepts of species invasions, their identification in the fossil record, and major historical events like the Richmondian invasion. Discover the connections between ancient invasive species and extinction events during the Ordovician and Devonian periods, while understanding how these historical patterns can inform current conservation efforts and environmental management strategies. Gain insights into both negative and positive impacts of species invasions, the potential role of purposeful species introduction in conservation, and emerging research questions in this field. The lecture concludes with information about future research directions and opportunities for student involvement in this evolving area of study.