Figs show that nonnative species can invade ecosystems by forming unexpected partnerships January 19, 2021 8.07am EST Disclosure statement Jared Bernard does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Partners While surveying the Hawaiian island of Kauai in search of invasive plants in 2017, botanist Kelsey Brock spotted something unusal: a few nonnative species of figs seemed to be settling in. As people traverse the planet for trade or travel, they bring a slew of species with them, many of which establish a foothold in a new place and may eventually replace the local native species. But because of a quirk of fig biology, my colleagues and I wondered how these figs could be reproducing to form new populations on Kauai.