Climate change and biological invasions are two of the greatest threats to global biodiversity
and ecosystem functioning. Both climate change and invasions have, individually, caused
population declines and local extinctions of native species. Furthermore, these threats may not
be independent, leading to a “double whammy” for native species if they are simultaneously
impacted by climate change and invasive species both directly and indirectly, e.g., via climatedriven
increases in invasive species or invasive species impacts on the ability of natives to cope
with climate change. In my talk, I address the hypothesis that climate change and species
invasions will interact, to the detriment of native species. First, I ask: will invasive species be
favored over native species under changing climatic conditions? Secondly, will climate change
increase the impacts of invasive species on native species? I draw conclusions from empirical
data and results of meta-analyses and syntheses conducted as part of two international, crossecosystem
working groups. Together, these findings suggest that climate change is likely to
increase the success and impacts of many invasive species. However, the threat varies across
taxa, ecosystems, and regions, highlighting the importance of localized prevention and
management efforts and scope for restoration under future change.