近年来，人们日益认识到入侵物种可能会通过快速进化提高适应新环境的能力从而促进其入侵。国际贸易的增加导致全世界生物入侵显著增加，对生态系统、人类健康和全球经济产生严重影响。外来入侵物种如何适应新环境的研究对于入侵物种的有效防控则至关重要。本项目将结合最新的遗传组学技术与生态学、环境生态位建模等学科方法相结合，以研究中国入侵桉树的进化历史和入侵机制。利用全基因组学方法（DArTseq）研究中国引入的桉树种群和澳大利亚本土种群之间的进化关系。进一步通过同质园实验确定桉树的引进种群和原产地种群之间生长特性的差异是否与遗传变异有关。最后，使用环境生态位模型来确定气候变化下中国桉树的环境适应性。本项目的跨学科方法的应用可以为生物入侵的潜在机制提供新视角，从而为解释外来生物的入侵机制提供新思路。

In recent years, it is increasingly being recognised that invasive species can undergo rapid evolutionary change facilitating their ability to colonise and adapt to new environments. Globalisation and increases in international trade have resulted in a significant rise in biological invasions throughout the world, resulting in severe impacts on ecosystems, human health and the global economy. Invasive plant species, for example, can displace local plants, invade farmland, reduce agricultural yields, and can cause allergic reactions and health problems. Research that enhances our understanding of why some introduced species are highly successful at rapidly adapting to and invading new environments is of critical importance, especially for the effective management of invasive species. ..In this project, we aim to use recently developed genomic techniques in combination with other scientific disciplines (e.g., ecology, plant physiology, and environmental niche modelling) to investigate the evolutionary history and invasion mechanisms of invasive Eucalyptus in China. To do this we propose to use a next-generation sequencing type approach (e.g., DArTseq) to examine evolutionary relationships among introduced populations in China and native populations in Australia (to identify the source populations of invasive Eucalyptus). We also plan to investigate morphological variation among introduced and native populations and assess whether phenotypic differences are associated with genetic variation and climatic variables. Additionally, we propose to conduct a glasshouse experiment to determine if differences in growth traits and fitness among introduced and native populations of Eucalyptus are associated with genetic variation. Finally, we will use environmental niche modelling to determine the environmental suitability of introduced Eucalyptus species under climate change. ..The application of an interdisciplinary approach combining genomics with a glasshouse experiment and environmental niche modelling is likely to provide unique insights into the mechanisms underlying biological invasions. Such an approach has not been widely used in the field of invasion biology. This proposal is novel in that it aims to compare the evolution, genetic diversity and relationships of introduced and native populations of Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus represents an excellent model to study patterns of invasions as many species are genetically diverse, highly plastic and can quickly adapt to a range of habitats. Moreover, Eucalyptus is invasive in many countries because it has been grown throughout the world as a source of timber and fibre. Insights gained from this project are therefore likely to be informative for other invasive species both in China and globally.