1. Using the IUCN environmental impact classification for alien taxa to inform decision-makingSabrina Kumschick, Sandro Bertolino, Tim M. Blackburn, Giuseppe Brundu, Katie E. Costello, Maarten De Groot, Thomas Evans, Belinda Gallardo, Piero Genovesi, Tanushri Govender, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) is an important tool for biological invasion policy and management and has been adopted as an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standard to measure the severity of environmental impacts caused by organisms living outside their native ranges. EICAT has already been incorporated into some national and local decision-making procedures, making it a particularly relevant resource for addressing the impact of non-native species. Recently, some of the underlying conceptual principles of EICAT, particularly those related to the use of the precautionary approach, have been challenged. Although still relatively new, guidelines for the application and interpretation of EICAT will be periodically revisited by the IUCN community, based on scientific evidence, to improve the process. Some of the criticisms recently raised are based on subjectively selected assumptions that cannot be generalized and may harm global efforts to manage biological invasions. EICAT adopts a precautionary principle by considering a species’ impact history elsewhere because some taxa have traits that can make them inherently more harmful. Furthermore, non-native species are often important drivers of biodiversity loss even in the presence of other pressures. Ignoring the precautionary principle when tackling the impacts of non-native species has led to devastating consequences for human well-being, biodiversity, and ecosystems, as well as poor management outcomes, and thus to significant economic costs. EICAT is a relevant tool because it supports prioritization and management of non-native species and meeting and monitoring progress toward the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target 6. Keywords: biological invasions, evidence synthesis, impact assessment, managing invasive species, precautionary principle Published in DiRROS: 11.12.2023; Views: 528; Downloads: 300
Full text (537,44 KB) This document has many files! More... |
2. First record of the northern spruce bark beetle, Ips duplicatus (Sahlberg, 1836), in SloveniaAndreja Kavčič, Zina Devetak, Barbara Piškur, Eva Groznik, Maarten De Groot, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The northern spruce bark beetle, Ips duplicatus (Sahlberg), has invaded Central Europe in the past century and continues to spread southwards and westwards. It has caused damage in some parts of Europe in recent decades and poses a serious threat to spruce forests across the continent. From 2018 to 2021, we conducted intensive monitoring to determine the status of I. duplicatus in Slovenia. We used different types of traps and pheromone lures that attract I. duplicatus beetles and took bark samples from bark beetle-infested trees. Of the 26 traps used during the four years of monitoring, I. duplicatus was found in 16 traps in the central part of Slovenia in 2020. Adult beetles were caught in traps containing both I. typographus and I. duplicatus lures. The identity of this species was confirmed using morphological keys and molecular methods. One to five I. duplicatus beetles were found per trap, totaling 25 specimens. However, we did not confirm any I. duplicatus in samples taken from trees in 2021. We conclude that I. duplicatus is present in Slovenia, but our results suggest that the species is only present locally and that the population is small. Keywords: biological invasions, forest pests, temperate forests, conifers, damage, forest pest monitoring, confirmation Published in DiRROS: 05.09.2023; Views: 548; Downloads: 256
Full text (3,04 MB) This document has many files! More... |
3. Species interactions : next-level citizen scienceQuentin Groom, Nadja Pernat, Tim Adriaens, Maarten De Groot, Sven D. Jelaska, Diana Marčiulyniene, Angeliki F. Martinou, Jiří Skuhrovec, Elena Tricarico, Ernst C. Wit, Helen E. Roy, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: We envisage a future research environment where digital data on species interactions are easily accessible and comprehensively cover all species, life stages and habitats. To achieve this goal, we need data from many sources, including the largely untapped potential of citizen science for mobilising and utilising existing information on species interactions. Traditionally volunteers contributing information on the occurrence of species have focused on single-species observations from within one target taxon. We make recommendations on how to improve the gathering of species interaction data through citizen science, which data should be collected and how it can be motivated. These recommendations include providing feedback in the form of network visualisations, leveraging a wide variety of other data sources and eliciting an emotional connection to the species in question. There are many uses for these data, but in the context of biological invasions, information on species interactions will increase understanding of the effects of invasive alien species on recipient communities and ecosystems. We believe that the inclusion of ecological networks as a concept within citizen science, not only for initiatives focussed on biological invasions but also across other ecological themes, will not only enrich scientific knowledge on species interactions but also deepen the experience and enjoyment of citizens themselves. Keywords: alien species, biological invasions, citizen science Published in DiRROS: 29.10.2021; Views: 1213; Downloads: 739
Full text (1,03 MB) This document has many files! More... |
4. Comparing environmental impacts of alien plants, insects and pathogens in protected riparian forestsKatharina Lapin, Sven Bacher, Thomas L. Cech, Rok Damjanić, Franz Essl, Freya-Isabel Georges, Gernot Hoch, Andreja Kavčič, András Koltay, Saša Kostić, Ivan Lukić, Aleksander Marinšek, Laszlo Nagy, Sonja Novak Agbaba, Janine Oettel, Saša Orlović, Leopold Poljaković-Pajnik, Marcus Sallmannshofer, Martin Steinkellner, Srdjan Stojnić, Marjana Westergren, Milica Zlatković, Anita Zolles, Maarten De Groot, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: The prioritization of alien species according to the magnitude of their environmental impacts has become increasingly important for the management of invasive alien species. In this study, we applied the Environmental Impact Classification of Alien Taxa (EICAT) to classify alien taxa from three different taxonomic groups to facilitate the prioritisation of management actions for the threatened riparian forests of the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve, South East Europe. With local experts we collated a list of 198 alien species (115 plants, 45 insects, and 38 fungi) with populations reported in southeast European forest ecosystems and included them in the EICAT. We found impact reports for 114 species. Eleven of these species caused local extinctions of a native species, 35 led to a population decrease, 51 to a reduction in performance in at least one native species and for 17 alien species no effects on individual fitness of native species were detected. Fungi had significantly highest impact and were more likely to have information on their impacts reported. Competition and parasitism were the most important impact mechanisms of alien species. This study is, to our knowledge, the first application of EICAT to all known alien species of several taxonomic groups in a protected area. The impact rankings enabled to identify taxa that generally cause high impacts and to prioritize species for the management in protected areas according to their impact magnitudes. By following a standardized impact protocol, we identified several alien species causing high impacts that do not appear on any expert-based risk list, which are relevant for policymakers. Thus, we recommend that alien species be systematically screened to identify knowledge gaps and prioritize their management with respect to spatio-temporal trends in impact magnitudes. Keywords: alien species, biological invasions, EICAT, invasive species management, protected areas, species prioritization Published in DiRROS: 29.10.2021; Views: 1043; Downloads: 780
Full text (1,13 MB) This document has many files! More... |
5. Global guidelines for the sustainable use of non-native trees to prevent tree invasions and mitigate their negative impactsGiuseppe Brundu, Aníbal Pauchard, Petr Pyšek, Jan Pergl, Anja M. Bindewald, Antonio Brunori, Susan Canavan, Thomas Campagnaro, Laura Celesti-Grapow, Michele de Sá Dechoum, Marjana Westergren, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Sustainably managed non-native trees deliver economic and societal benefits with limited risk of spread to adjoining areas. However, some plantations have launched invasions that cause substantial damage to biodiversity and ecosystem services, while others pose substantial threats of causing such impacts. The challenge is to maximise the benefits of non-native trees, while minimising negative impacts and preserving future benefits and options. A workshop was held in 2019 to develop global guidelines for the sustainable use of non-native trees, using the Council of Europe % Bern Convention Code of Conduct on Invasive Alien Trees as a starting point. The global guidelines consist of eight recommendations: 1) Use native trees, or non-invasive non-native trees, in preference to invasive non-native trees; 2) Be aware of and comply with international, national, and regional regulations concerning non-native trees; 3) Be aware of the risk of invasion and consider global change trends; 4) Design and adopt tailored practices for plantation site selection and silvicultural management; 5) Promote and implement early detection and rapid response programmes; 6) Design and adopt tailored practices for invasive non-native tree control, habitat restoration, and for dealing with highly modified ecosystems; 7) Engage with stakeholders on the risks posed by invasive non-native trees, the impacts caused, and the options for management; and 8) Develop and support global networks, collaborative research, and information sharing on native and non-native trees. The global guidelines are a first step towards building global consensus on the precautions that should be taken when introducing and planting non-native trees. They are voluntary and are intended to complement statutory requirements under international and national legislation. The application of the global guidelines and the achievement of their goals will help to conserve forest biodiversity, ensure sustainable forestry, and contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations linked with forest biodiversity. Keywords: biological invasions, code of conduct, environmental policy and legislation, invasion science, stakeholder engagement, stakeholder participation, sustainable forestry Published in DiRROS: 26.01.2021; Views: 1437; Downloads: 950
Full text (1,34 MB) This document has many files! More... |