The importance of assessing positive and beneficial impacts of alien species

NeoBiota, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 62, P. 525 - 545

Published: Oct. 15, 2020

Extensive literature is available on the diversity and magnitude of impacts that alien species cause recipient systems. Alien may decrease or increase attributes ecosystems (e.g. total biomass diversity), thus causing negative positive environmental impacts. also negatively positively impact linked to local human communities number people involved in a given activity). Ethical societal values contribute define these socio-economic as deleterious beneficial. Whilst most focuses effects taxa, some recognise their beneficial activities. Impact assessment frameworks show similar tendency evaluate mainly impacts: only relatively few, not widely applied, incorporate species. Here, we provide summary assessing briefly discuss why they might have been less frequently cited applied than exclusively Then, review arguments invoke greater consideration caused by across invasion science literature. We collate describe from set 47 papers, grouping them two categories (value-free value-laden), which span theoretical, basic perspective an perspective. example cases associated with each argument. advocate development transparent evidence-based advance our scientific understanding dynamics better inform management prioritisation decisions. advise this should be achieved recognising underlying ethical intrinsic limitations. The evaluation through seen attempt outweigh discount taxa but rather opportunity additional information for scientists, managers policymakers.

Language: Английский

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The EICAT+ framework enables classification of positive impacts of alien taxa on native biodiversity

PLoS Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 20(8), P. e3001729 - e3001729

Published: Aug. 16, 2022

Species introduced through human-related activities beyond their native range, termed alien species, have various impacts worldwide. The IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) is a global standard to assess negative of species on biodiversity. can also positively affect biodiversity (for instance, food and habitat provisioning or dispersal facilitation) but there currently no standardized evidence-based system classify positive impacts. We fill this gap by proposing EICAT+, which uses 5 semiquantitative scenarios categorize the magnitude impacts, describes underlying mechanisms. EICAT+ be applied all taxa at different spatial organizational scales. application expands our understanding consequences biological invasions inform conservation decisions.

Language: Английский

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A four‐component classification of uncertainties in biological invasions: implications for management

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 10(4)

Published: April 1, 2019

Abstract Although uncertainty is an integral part of any science, it raises doubts in public perception about scientific evidence, exploited by denialists, and therefore potentially hinders the implementation management actions. As a relatively young field study, invasion science contains many uncertainties. This may explain why, despite international policies aimed at mitigating biological invasions, national‐ regional‐scale measures to prevent or control alien species has done little slow increase extent invasions magnitude impacts. Uncertainty critical aspect that should be addressed enable progress further. To improve how uncertainties are captured characterized, we propose framework, which also applicable other applied research fields such as climate conservation divided into four components: need (1) clearly circumscribe phenomenon, (2) measure provide evidence for phenomenon (i.e., confirmation ), (3) understand mechanisms cause (4) through results consequences . We link these issues three major types uncertainty: linguistic, psychological, epistemic. The application this framework shows components tend characterized different science. can detrimental ways reduce them. Since increasingly tightly embedded complex socio‐ecological systems, problems associated with have convoluted solutions. They demand consensus stakeholders define frame dimensions decide on appropriate While cannot eliminated completely, believe using explicitly identify communicate them will help collaboration between researchers managers, scientific, political, support research, stronger foundation sustainable strategies.

Language: Английский

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Beyond the Decline of Wild Bees: Optimizing Conservation Measures and Bringing Together the Actors

Insects, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11(9), P. 649 - 649

Published: Sept. 22, 2020

Wild bees are facing a global decline mostly induced by numerous human factors for the last decades. In parallel, public interest their conservation increased considerably, namely through scientific studies relayed in media. spite of this broad interest, lack knowledge and understanding subject is blatant reveals gap between awareness understanding. While extensively studied, information on measures often scattered literature. We now beyond precautionary principle experts calling effective actions to promote wild bee diversity enhancement environment quality. review, we draw general up-to-date assessment methods, as well efficiency current projects that try fill gaps optimize measures. Targeting bees, focused our attention (i) protection restoration habitats, (ii) anthropogenic (iii) implementation made tools, (iv) how deal with invasive alien species, finally (v) communicate efficiently accurately. This review can be considered needed catalyst implement concrete qualitative conversation bees.

Language: Английский

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Invasive species denialism: Sorting out facts, beliefs, and definitions

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 8(22), P. 11190 - 11198

Published: Oct. 30, 2018

Abstract In the last decades, thousands of investigations confirmed detrimental effects species translocated by man outside their native ranges (nonindigenous species, or NIS). However, results concluding that many NIS have null, neutral, positive impacts on biota and human interests are as common in scientific literature those point at baneful impacts. Recently, several scholars confronted stand origin per se is not a reliable indicator negative effects, suggesting such conclusions expression denialism, often led spurious purposes, numbers increasing. When assessed context growing interest introduced proportion academic publications claiming pose no threats to environment social economic extremely low, has increased since 1990. The widely prevailing notion effectively potentially harmful does conflict with fact most mixed (negative, positive) based solid grounds, reports neutral should be labeled manipulative misleading unless proven otherwise, even if they may hamper in‐ funding research control bioinvasion programs.

Language: Английский

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A review of the critics of invasion biology

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 95(5), P. 1467 - 1478

Published: June 9, 2020

ABSTRACT Herein, I review existing criticisms of the field invasion biology. Firstly, identifiy problems conceptual weaknesses, including disagreements regarding: ( i ) definitions invasive, impact, and pristine conditions, ii ecological assumptions such as species equilibrium, niche saturation, climax communities. Secondly, discuss methodological include misuse correlations, biases in impact reviews risk assessment, difficulties predicting effects introductions or eradications. Finally, analyse social conflict regarding invasive management differences moral philosophical foundations. recent emergence alternatives to traditional biology approaches, concept novel ecosystems, conciliation biology, compassionate conservation. Understanding different value systems will be first step reconciling perspectives related this controversial topic.

Language: Английский

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Non-native fishes in Brazilian freshwaters: identifying biases and gaps in ecological research

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 25(5), P. 1643 - 1658

Published: Jan. 28, 2023

Language: Английский

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Exploring pest mitigation research and management associated with the global wood packaging supply chain: What and where are the weak links?

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 25(8), P. 2395 - 2421

Published: May 11, 2023

Abstract Global trade continues to increase in volume, speed, geographic scope, diversity of goods, and types conveyances, which has resulted a parallel both quantity pathways available for plant pests move via trade. Wood packaging material (WPM) such as dunnage, pallets, crates, spools, is an integral part the global supply chain due its function containing, protecting, supporting movement traded commodities. The use untreated solid wood WPM introduces risk boring wood-infesting organisms into chain, while handling storage conditions treated presents post-treatment contamination by surface-adhering or sheltering pests. wood-boring -infesting pest risks intrinsic pathway were addressed 2002 adoption 2009 revision ISPM 15, was first implemented 2005–2006 North America. Although this initiative been widely implemented, some still occurs combination factors including; fraud, material, insufficient- incomplete- treatment, contamination. Here we examine forest-to-recycling production utilization with respect dynamics contaminating incidence within environments international provide opportunities improvements reduction. We detail discuss each step current systems place, regulatory environments. knowledge gaps, research recommendations step. This big picture perspective allows full system review where new improved management strategies could be explored improve our regulations.

Language: Английский

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Myoporum (Scrophulariaceae): Introduction, naturalization, and invasion of an enigmatic tree genus in South Africa

South African Journal of Botany, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 168, P. 529 - 541

Published: April 4, 2024

Myoporum is a genus of trees and shrubs native to the Northern Hemisphere that has been introduced many parts world, mainly for ornamental purposes. We assessed introduction history, distribution, extent naturalization/invasion species in South Africa. Information was collated determine key events associated with introduction, establishment, naturalization Data were current distribution Twenty sites Western Cape sampled correlates naturalization. first recorded Africa 1934. Three confirmed be present Africa: M. insulare, laetum montanum (37 %, 25 % 24 all iNaturalist records respectively). Most are from (91 %) small Eastern Cape; isolated populations occur Gauteng Cape. could not confirm presence petiolatum, tenuifolium or tetrandrum. Field surveys revealed widespread insulare (46 Research Grade observations iNaturalist); this categorized code D1 introduction-naturalization-invasion continuum. (C3) (C2) also widely naturalized but over smaller areas. Naturalized comprised predominantly juvenile plants occurring highly disturbed (transformed) habitats. Formal risk analyses needed as basis re-evaluation their status national legislation.

Language: Английский

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Burrowing Invasive Species: An Unquantified Erosion Risk at the Aquatic‐Terrestrial Interface

Reviews of Geophysics, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 57(3), P. 1018 - 1036

Published: July 31, 2019

Abstract Invasive nonnative species acting as “ecosystem engineers” or “geomorphic agents” can represent a major landscape disturbance. Quantification of their biogeomorphic impacts remains key knowledge gap, and aquatic‐terrestrial transition zones may be particularly exposed to impacts. We demonstrate how burrowing invasive potentially significant but unquantified erosion risk at aquatic margins. reveal lack quantitative research on geophysical impacts, despite increasing concerns over threats waterways flood defense infrastructure. explore example animals global interest, comprising crustaceans, fish, reptiles, mammals the nature issue: 100 countries, states, territories where least one is established, 20 with 3‐6 present. present conceptual model for burrows stability margins using established models geotechnical, hydrological, hydraulic drivers. Burrows are hypothesized (i) alter failure plane position, decrease length, increase angle (thereby decreasing bank shear strength); (ii) modify spatial distribution porewater pressure, thereby subsurface flow (seepage), reducing cohesion, likelihood slip failures face; (iii) turbulence sediment entrainment burrow entrances; (iv) resistance face. Most effects expected instability/erosion exception which has potential offer protection from fluvial action. call further in these areas quantify different environments species.

Language: Английский

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