scholarly journals Promise and challenges of risk assessment as an approach for preventing the arrival of harmful alien species

Bothalia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reuben P. Keller ◽  
Sabrina Kumschick
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Tool Development ◽  
Acceptable Risk ◽  
Species Introductions ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Intentional Introduction

Background: Harmful alien species impose a growing environmental, economic and human well-being burden around the globe. A promising way to reduce the arrival of new species that may become harmful is to utilise pre-border risk assessment (RA) tools that relate the traits of introduced species to whether those species have become established and harmful. These tools can be applied to species proposed for intentional introduction so that informed decisions can be made about whether each species poses an acceptable risk and should be allowed for import. Objectives: A range of approaches to RA tool development have emerged, each relying on different assumptions about the relationships between traits and species impacts, and each requiring different levels and types of data. We set out to compare the qualities of each approach and make recommendations for their application in South Africa, a high biodiversity developing country that already has many invasive species. Method: We reviewed five approaches to pre-border RA and assessed the benefits and drawbacks of each. We focused on how pre-border RA could be applied in South Africa. Results: Recent legislation presents a framework for RA to evaluate species introductions to South Africa, but we find that this framework assumes an approach to RA that is relatively slow and costly and that does not leverage recent advances in RA tool development. Conclusion: There is potential for proven RA approaches to be applied in South Africa that would be less costly and that could more rapidly assess the suite of species currently being introduced.

scholarly journals Are Introduced Alien Species More Predisposed to Invasion in Recipient Environments If They Provide a Wider Range of Services to Humans?

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 553
Author(s):  
Kowiyou Yessoufou ◽  
Annie Estelle Ambani
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Propagule Pressure ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Alien Plants ◽  
Invasion Success ◽  
Alien Invasive Species ◽  
Unexpected Finding

The drivers of invasion success of alien species remain, to some extent, a matter of debate. Here, we suggest that the services (the benefits humans obtain from a species) provided by alien plants could predict their invasion status, such that alien species providing more services would be more likely to be invasive than not. The rationale for this expectation is that alien species providing multiple services stand a better chance of being introduced in various numbers and multiple times outside their native range (propagule pressure theory). We investigated this hypothesis on alien woody species in South Africa. First, we defined 12 services provided by all the 210 known naturalized alien woody plants in South Africa. Then, we tested for a phylogenetic signal in these services using a DNA barcode-based phylogeny. Finally, we tested for potential links between the services and invasion status by fitting GLM models with appropriate error families. We found a phylogenetic signal in most services, suggesting that closely related species tend to provide similar services. Counter-intuitively, we consistently found that alien non-invasive species tend to provide more services, or even unique services, in comparison to alien invasive species. Although alternative scenarios are plausible to explain this unexpected finding, we speculate that harvesting alien plants for human benefits may limit their invasion ability. This warrants further investigation.

scholarly journals InvasiBES: Understanding and managing the impacts of Invasive alien species on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

NeoBiota ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
pp. 109-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Gallardo ◽  
Sven Bacher ◽  
Bethany Bradley ◽  
Francisco A. Comín ◽  
Laure Gallien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Ecosystem Recovery

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are amongst the most significant drivers of species extinction and ecosystem degradation, causing negative impacts on ecosystem services and human well-being. InvasiBES, a project funded by BiodivERsA-Belmont Forum for 2019–2021, will use data and models across scales, habitats and species to understand and anticipate the multi-faceted impacts of IAS and to provide tools for their management. Using Alien Species Narratives as reference, we will design future intervention scenarios focused on prevention, control and eradication of IAS in Europe and the United States, through a participatory process bringing together the expertise of scientists and stakeholders. We will also adapt current impact assessment protocols to assess both the detrimental and beneficial impacts of IAS on biodiversity and ecosystem services. This information will then be combined with maps of the potential distribution of Invasive Species of Interest in Europe under current and future climate-change scenarios. Likewise, we will anticipate areas under risk of invasion by range-shifting plants of concern in the US. Finally, focusing on three local-scale studies that cover a range of habitats (freshwater, terrestrial and marine), invasive species (plants and animals) and ecosystem services (supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural), we will use empirical field data to quantify the real-world impacts of IAS on biodiversity and ecosystem services and calculate indicators of ecosystem recovery after the invader is removed. Spatial planning tools (InVEST) will be used to evaluate the costs and benefits of species-specific intervention scenarios at the regional scale. Data, models and maps, developed throughout the project, will serve to build scenarios and models of biodiversity and ecosystem services that are relevant to underpin management of IAS at multiple scales.

Ochrona gatunków rodzimych przed inwazjami biologicznymi

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 348-358
Author(s):  
Emilia Nawrotek
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Alien Invasive Species ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Health And Economic Development ◽  
Economic Well Being

Invasive alien species are a threat to biodiversity and food security, health and economic development. These species are causing enormous damage to biodiversity and the valuable natural agricultural systems upon which we depend. Globalisation, trade, travel, and transport of goods across borders they have facilitated the spread of invasive alien species. The spread of invasive alien species is now recognised as one of the greatest threats to the ecological and economic well being of the planet. The aim of the article is to analyze and attempt to assess the legal regulation relating protection native species against alien invasive species and alien species.

scholarly journals Managing conflict-generating invasive species in South Africa: Challenges and trade-offs

Bothalia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsungai Zengeya ◽  
Philip Ivey ◽  
Darragh J. Woodford ◽  
Olaf Weyl ◽  
Ana Novoa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
Hierarchy Theory ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Cognitive Hierarchy ◽  
Negative Impacts

Background: This paper reviewed the benefits and negative impacts of alien species that are currently listed in the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act no 10 of 2004) and certain alien species that are not yet listed in the regulations for which conflicts of interest complicate management. Objectives: Specifically, it identified conflict-generating species, evaluated the causes and driving forces of these conflicts and assessed how the conflicts have affected management. Method: A simple scoring system was used to classify the alien species according to their relative degree of benefits and negative impacts. Conflict-generating species were then identified and further evaluated using an integrated cognitive hierarchy theory and risk perception framework to identify the value systems (intrinsic and economic) and risk perceptions associated with each conflict. Results: A total of 552 alien species were assessed. Most of the species were classified as inconsequential (55%) or destructive (29%). Beneficial (10%) and conflict-generating (6%) species made a minor contribution. The majority (46%) of the conflict cases were associated with more than one value system or both values and risk perception. The other conflicts cases were based on intrinsic (40%) and utilitarian (14%) value systems. Conclusions: Conflicts based on value and risk perceptions are inherently difficult to resolve because authorities need to balance the needs of different stakeholders while meeting the mandate of conserving the environment, ecosystem services and human well-being. This paper uses the identified conflict-generating species to highlight the challenges and trade-offs of managing invasive species in South Africa.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES AND GENDER

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-84
Author(s):  
Sajani Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ecological Change ◽  
Fuel Wood ◽  
The Impact

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) is considered the second major cause of biodiversity loss and habitat degradation. They pose a serious threat to different ecosystems of Nepal such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and natural systems. Invasive alien species affect people's livelihoods and human well-being. Some species are important sources of fuel wood, fodder, timber and food products for local households and communities. Similarly, some species hold cultural, spiritual and recreational significance. In contrast, they also harm livelihoods and increase vulnerability via land encroachment and reduction in mobility or access. In some cases, they also diminish the abundance of natural resources used by households and reduce agricultural production. This results in a loss of their income and increases vulnerability. Furthermore, some invasive species have also negative implications on human health and safety. Likewise, they are responsible for reducing the cultural value of landscapes. Invasive Alien Species are well-recognized drivers of social-ecological change. Extensive research on invasive species in Nepal has yet to be done. Therefore, the impact of invasive species on livelihoods and human well-being is a lesser-known concept.  The effect of benefits and costs analysis of invasive species on livelihoods and human well-being remains pivotal for policy-making and management. This article is based on the development of a comprehensive national strategy and plan of action to control and manage IAS in Nepal. It discusses the broader aspect and status of IAS in Nepal.

Challenges and opportunities in developing decision support systems for risk assessment and management of forest invasive alien species

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentine Lafond ◽  
Federico Lingua ◽  
Stefanie Lumnitz ◽  
Gregory Paradis ◽  
Vivek Srivastava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support Systems ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Risk Assessment And Management

Biological invasions represent an increasing threat to ecosystems worldwide, with negative ecological and socio-economic impacts, whereas risk assessment and management remain challenging. The development of decision support systems (DSS) has the potential to help decision-makers and managers mitigate invasive species, but few DSS exist for forest invasive alien species (FIAS). The use of DSS in forestry is not new but they represent an asset in decision making in times of increasing complexity of issues foresters face and factors to consider. Yet, few forest DSS address the problem of FIAS. In this review, we identify key elements of the FIAS risk-assessment and management decision-making process, discuss these elements with a model-based DSS development perspective, and summarize outstanding challenges and opportunities for FIAS DSS development. FIAS DSS should not only estimate the probability of FIAS invasion but also consider forest vulnerability and quantify exposure (i.e., value at risk), while allowing different threat scenarios and possible solutions to be compared. Such a complete risk assessment and management calls for integrative modelling approaches that explicitly link different components of FIAS invasion, management, and impact assessment into a DSS. Such integrative modelling is challenging and may require collaboration among experts of different domains. International collaboration is also needed to facilitate data exchange, as the lack of data is one of the main challenges. In many cases, data and ecological knowledge of invasive species are too limited (in quantity or quality) to constitute useful input to DSS or their components (e.g., species distribution model). Another challenge is to better consider the multiple sources of uncertainties inherent to modelling invasions (e.g., host preferences and behavior, forest vulnerability, potential impacts, and cost and benefits of mitigation actions) when assessing FIAS risk and communicating results from risk assessment. Communication with stakeholders and DSS end-users, in fact, appears as one of the keys to successful DSS development and appropriation, not only to ensure that they correspond to end-users’ needs but also to ensure ease of use, functionality, and good visualization of DSS outputs.

The Invasive Species Risk Assessment and Prediction System Based on GIS

2014 ◽  
Vol 675-677 ◽  
pp. 1052-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Hong Wang ◽  
Ya Jing Liu ◽  
Li Na Guo
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Secondary Development ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Ecological Management ◽  
The Impact

With the international economic and trade exchanges, biological invasion has become an important factor in the threat of biological diversity and ecological environment. In order to prevent and control exotic species invasion, using of GIS-based geospatial technology to the potential distribution of invasive species risk assessment can provide the basis for ecological management of invasive alien species better, thus reducing the economic losses due to invasive alien species caused to our country. To this point, the study had done a secondary development based on ArcGIS Engine component. It used niche model to analysis and study potential suitable distribution of alien pests in China, conduct a risk assessment to them. The receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to access the prediction accuracy Analyzed the impact of the distribution of invasive alien species` main environmental variables. It provided a theoretical basis for ecological management of invasive alien species.

scholarly journals Economic costs of invasive species in Germany

NeoBiota ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 225-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip J. Haubrock ◽  
Ross N. Cuthbert ◽  
Andrea Sundermann ◽  
Christophe Diagne ◽  
Marina Golivets ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
American Mink ◽  
National Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Management Actions

Invasive alien species are a well-known and pervasive threat to global biodiversity and human well-being. Despite substantial impacts of invasive alien species, quantitative syntheses of monetary costs incurred from invasions in national economies are often missing. As a consequence, adequate resource allocation for management responses to invasions has been inhibited, because cost-benefit analysis of management actions cannot be derived. To determine the economic cost of invasions in Germany, a Central European country with the 4th largest GDP in the world, we analysed published data collected from the first global assessment of economic costs of invasive alien species. Overall, economic costs were estimated at US$ 9.8 billion between 1960 and 2020, including US$ 8.9 billion in potential costs. The potential costs were mostly linked to extrapolated costs of the American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus, the black cherry Prunus serotina and two mammals: the muskrat Ondatra zibethicus and the American mink Neovison vison. Observed costs were driven by a broad range of taxa and mostly associated with control-related spending and resource damages or losses. We identified a considerable increase in costs relative to previous estimates and through time. Importantly, of the 2,249 alien and 181 invasive species reported in Germany, only 28 species had recorded economic costs. Therefore, total quantifications of invasive species costs here should be seen as very conservative. Our findings highlight a distinct lack of information in the openly-accessible literature and governmental sources on invasion costs at the national level, masking the highly-probable existence of much greater costs of invasions in Germany. In addition, given that invasion rates are increasing, economic costs are expected to further increase. The evaluation and reporting of economic costs need to be improved in order to deliver a basis for effective mitigation and management of invasions on national and international economies.

Invasive Shot Hole Borers Euwallacea fornicatus, E. kuroshio, and E. perbrevis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

EDIS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Demian F. Gomez ◽  
Jiri Hulcr ◽  
Daniel Carrillo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Economic Impacts ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Invasive Insects ◽  
The World ◽  
And Control

Invasive species, those that are nonnative and cause economic damage, are one of the main threats to ecosystems around the world. Ambrosia beetles are some of the most common invasive insects. Currently, severe economic impacts have been increasingly reported for all the invasive shot hole borers in South Africa, California, Israel, and throughout Asia. This 7-page fact sheet written by Demian F. Gomez, Jiri Hulcr, and Daniel Carrillo and published by the School of Forest Resources and Conservation describes shot hole borers and their biology and hosts and lists some strategies for prevention and control of these pests. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr422

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