Taming the terminological tempest in invasion science

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 99(4), P. 1357 - 1390

Published: March 18, 2024

ABSTRACT Standardised terminology in science is important for clarity of interpretation and communication. In invasion – a dynamic rapidly evolving discipline the proliferation technical has lacked standardised framework its development. The result convoluted inconsistent usage terminology, with various discrepancies descriptions damage interventions. A therefore needed clear, universally applicable, consistent to promote more effective communication across researchers, stakeholders, policymakers. Inconsistencies stem from exponential increase scientific publications on patterns processes biological invasions authored by experts disciplines countries since 1990s, as well legislators policymakers focusing practical applications, regulations, management resources. Aligning standardising stakeholders remains challenge science. Here, we review evaluate multiple terms used (e.g. ‘non‐native’, ‘alien’, ‘invasive’ or ‘invader’, ‘exotic’, ‘non‐indigenous’, ‘naturalised’, ‘pest’) propose simplified terminology. streamlined translate into 28 other languages based ( i ) denoting species transported beyond their natural biogeographic range, ii ‘established non‐native’, i.e. those non‐native that have established self‐sustaining populations new location(s) wild, iii ‘invasive non‐native’ recently spread are spreading invaded range actively passively without human mediation. We also highlight importance conceptualising ‘spread’ classifying invasiveness ‘impact’ management. Finally, protocol dispersal mechanism, origin, population status, iv impact. Collectively introducing present aims facilitate collaboration species.

Language: Английский

---

Spatial Scale and the Underestimation of Stream Fish Community Invadedness

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 34(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Scale‐Dependency of Native Status Classifying populations as native or nonnative requires well‐defined range boundaries for species. While many studies define status according to large biogeographic realms, natural dispersal barriers often limit species distributions at regional smaller spatial extents. As such, native/nonnative definitions are inherently scale‐dependent and estimates community invadedness thus depend on the resolution which is defined. For example, can be introduced among regions within ecological provinces (hereafter, simply “provinces”). By explicitly considering scale‐dependency definitions, we more effectively compare results across studies, comprehensively evaluate degree invasion levels, objectively communicate a Location 30,034 stream segments, conterminous United States. Time Period 2000–2023. Major Taxa Studied Freshwater fishes. Quantifying Fish Community Invadedness Across US Streams We illustrate importance by quantifying richness relative abundance in fish communities States, finding that provincially nearly four times prevalent extra‐realm species, represented approximately 10% all individuals average surveys. Implications Unrealistically broad underestimate invadedness. Dismissing regionally have severe consequences, including displacement hybridisation with loss unique through biotic homogenisation. These consequences may undermine efforts maintain protect distinct local biodiversity conserve endemic

Language: Английский

---

Taming the terminological tempest in invasion science

Published: Sept. 6, 2023

Standardized terminology in science is important for clarity of interpretation and communication. In invasion — a dynamic quickly evolving discipline the rapid proliferation technical has lacked standardized framework its language development. The result convoluted inconsistent usage terminology, with various discrepancies descriptions damages interventions. A therefore needed clear, universally applicable, consistent to promote more effective communication across researchers, stakeholders, policymakers. Inconsistencies stem from exponential increase scientific publications on patterns processes biological invasions authored by experts disciplines countries since 1990s, as well legislators policymakers focusing practical applications, regulations, management resources. Aligning standardizing stakeholders remains prevailing challenge science. Here, we review evaluate multiple terms used (e.g. 'non-native', 'alien', 'invasive' or 'invader', 'exotic', 'non-indigenous', 'naturalized, 'pest') propose simplified terminology. streamlined translate into 28 other languages based (i) denoting species transported beyond their natural biogeographic range, (ii) 'established non-native', i.e. those non-native that have established self-sustaining populations new location(s) wild, (iii) 'invasive non-native' recently spread are spreading rapidly invaded range actively passively without human mediation. We also highlight importance conceptualizing 'spread' classifying invasiveness 'impact' management. Finally, protocol (1) dispersal mechanism, (2) origin, (3) population status, (4) impact. Collectively introducing present aims facilitate collaboration species.

Language: Английский

---

Large language models overcome the challenges of unstructured text data in ecology

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 26, 2024

Abstract The vast volume of currently available unstructured text data, such as research papers, news, and technical report shows great potential for ecological research. However, manual processing data is labour-intensive, posing a significant challenge. In this study, we aimed to assess the application three state-of-the-art prompt-based large language models (LLMs), GPT 3.5, 4, LLaMA-2-70B, automate identification, interpretation, extraction, structuring relevant information from textual sources. We focused on species distribution two sources: news outlets papers. assessed LLMs four key tasks: classification documents with identification regions where are recorded, generation geographical coordinates these regions, supply results in structured format. 4 consistently outperformed other models, demonstrating high capacity interpret extract information, percentage correct outputs often exceeding 90% (average accuracy across 87–100%). Its performance also depended source type task, better achieved reports, reports presentation output. predecessor, exhibited reasonably low all tasks sources 81–97%), whereas LLaMA-2-70B showed worst (37– 73%). These demonstrate benefit integrating into assimilation workflows essential tools efficiently process volumes data.

Language: Английский

---

Who Reports and What about Invasive Plant Species? Results of the First National Questionnaire-Based Survey

Russian Journal of Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1), P. 118 - 132

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Who is reporting non‐native species and how? A cross‐expert assessment of practices and drivers of non‐native biodiversity reporting in species regional listing

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(5)

Published: May 1, 2023

Abstract Each year, hundreds of scientific works with species' geographical data are published. However, these can be challenging to identify, collect, and integrate into analytical workflows due differences in reporting structures, storage formats, the omission or inconsistency relevant information terminology. These difficulties tend aggravated for non‐native species, given varying attitudes toward species existence an additional layer invasion‐related Thus, our objective is identify current practices drivers literature. We conducted online survey targeting authors regional checklists—a widely published source biogeographical data—where we asked about habits perceptions regarding taxa. The responses relationships between response variables predictors were analyzed using descriptive statistics ordinal logistic regression models. With a rate 22.4% ( n = 113), found that nearly half respondents (45.5%) do not always report taxa, those who report, many (44.7%) differentiate them from native Close (46.4%) also view terminology biological invasions as obstacle ways which checklist provided varied, but mainly correspond text embedded tables (when given) mentioned alongside species. Only 13.4% mention provide automation‐friendly formats its publication biodiversity repositories. Data on distribution essential monitoring global change preventing invasions. Despite importance results show urgent need improve frequency, accessibility, consistency data.

Language: Английский

---

Large language models overcome the challenges of unstructured text data in ecology

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 82, P. 102742 - 102742

Published: Aug. 2, 2024

The vast volume of currently available unstructured text data, such as research papers, news, and technical report shows great potential for ecological research. However, manual processing data is labour-intensive, posing a significant challenge. In this study, we aimed to assess the application three state-of-the-art prompt-based large language models (LLMs), GPT-3.5, GPT-4, LLaMA-2-70B, automate identification, interpretation, extraction, structuring relevant information from textual sources. We focused on species distribution two sources: news outlets papers. assessed LLMs four key tasks: classification documents with identification regions where are recorded, generation geographical coordinates these regions, supply results in structured format. GPT-4 consistently outperformed other models, demonstrating high capacity interpret extract information, percentage correct outputs often exceeding 90% (average accuracy across 87–100%). Its performance also depended source type task, better achieved reports, reports presentation output. predecessor, exhibited slightly lower all tasks sources 81–97%), whereas LLaMA-2-70B showed worst (37–73%). These demonstrate benefit integrating into assimilation workflows essential tools efficiently process volumes data.

Language: Английский

---

D5.5 Short-term ecological forecasts in support of the Bioeconomy Strategy and EU citizens

Published: Jan. 19, 2024

A relevant number of ecological questions raised by policymakers, managers, and citizens often pertain to the short-term future (e.g., coming days or weeks). In this sense, biological forecasts can make substantial practical contributions achieving policy objectives benefit society broadly. Specifically, Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) Ecosystem Service (EESVs) support decision-making stakeholders from multiple sectors, enabling anticipate transformations proactive, informed decisions that promote conservation, economic activities, human well-being. The aim task was demonstrate how a European Observation Network generation spatial phenomena Bioeconomy Strategy EU at large. Our specific included showcasing 1) computational workflow enables production days-ahead for distinct 2) specialized bird aerial biomass. first, (‘generic’) workflow, is exemplified using two case studies: i) forecasting fruiting wild mushroom commercial recreational relevance, ii) life stage relevance surveillance an invasive pest species important agriculture. These studies specific, tangible towards sustainable use bio-based economy ecosystem protection, anticipation risks. Beyond aligning with Strategy, our three targets also offer wider range strategies policies. We actively involved in defining end-products development modelling approaches workflows. This process entailed approaches. For generic we engaged participatory project's start, focusing on foraging experts mycology modelling. biomass built upon developments predated project, engagement primarily drawing insights input earlier initiatives. workflows serve complementary purposes terms primary data they use. While first (generic) based growing body opportunistic biodiversity observation data, particularly citizen science initiatives, second requires highly radar weather stations. However, both predictor observations employ machine learning algorithms correlate these observed variations being forecasted.

Language: Английский

---

Non-native herpetofauna of Aruba island (Caribbean): patterns and insights

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 26(8), P. 2421 - 2433

Published: June 26, 2024

Abstract Islands harbor a significant proportion of global biodiversity and also have disproportionately high richness introduced species relative to continents. Given the sensitivity island ecosystems species, data deficiencies on introduction pathways, patterns establishment, potential impacts can hamper mitigation conservation efforts islands. The Caribbean region is emerging as hotspot for amphibian reptile (herpetofaunal) but associated with herpetofaunal introductions specific islands are not well explored. Here, we perform detailed investigation Aruba, small an exceptionally number species. We compile database from literature years, source locations, native ranges, establishment outcomes, habitat use, ecological three newly documented 12 previously Aruba. From this synthesize emergent Aruba highlight areas deficiency. Overall, echo exhibited in greater region. Introduction rates been increasing exponentially, yet pathways locations most unknown. Following introduction, successfully establish localized populations anthropogenic habitat, well-assessed. suggest increased monitoring shipments will help identify slow new further studies needed.

Language: Английский

---