Integrated Analysis of Species Invasion Under the Telecoupling Framework: Burmese Python Across Southeast Asia, the USA, and Beyond

Abstract

In an increasingly globalizing world, invasive species have become a serious concern worldwide. Numerous studies have focused on the biology of different invasive species, but few have systematically integrated socioeconomic and environmental factors. The framework of telecoupling (socioeconomic–environmental interactions over distances) can help address this challenge by allowing researchers to integrate human-nature interactions across distances. To demonstrate this potential, the framework was applied to the invasion of the Burmese python (Python bivittatus) from Southeast Asia. This species is a large constrictor currently invading the Greater Everglades ecosystem in South Florida, USA, through the pet trade. Results show many causes and effects of the invasion. The analysis also exposes several research gaps. The most prevalent is a lack of published research about the species’ native range, including biology in the wild as well as a socioeconomic understanding of the people involved in and affected by the invasion. The telecoupling framework connects scattered information, providing insights into flow-centered management approaches that could lead to more effective population control. This analysis shows the telecoupling framework’s potential to improve understanding of the complexities of invasive species, their causes, effects, future research directions, and management strategies.