Abstract
Giant hogweed is a globally invasive plant that can cause a phototoxic reaction which can cause burns and hyperpigmentation. As a result, the species can have large economic costs and human health impacts where high plant densities and high human densities overlap. The invasion, however, is relatively slow moving, which may lead to an underestimate of potential range and impact. We use life history data to construct Maxent and logistic regression models of potential range in North America. These models suggest that the core areas of high habitat suitability overlap with high human population density, but that most of these areas have already been invaded. There is, however, scope for further spread in areas adjacent to the core, and in novel, less populated, mountainous and maritime locations.





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Data availability
All data that support the findings of this study are available from GBIF https://doi.org/10.15468/dl.6f3s6b; the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (https://www.eddmaps.org/); the ENVIREM dataset (https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/data/concern/data_sets/gt54kn05f; WorldClim 2 database (https://worldclim.org); and Worldpop (https://www.worldpop.org/geodata/listing?id=74)).
Code availability
Software available from the sources indicated in text.
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Cuddington, K., Sobek-Swant, S., Drake, J. et al. Risks of giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) range increase in North America. Biol Invasions 24, 299–314 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02645-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02645-x


