Incorporating climate change into invasive species management: insights from managers

Emily J. Fusco,Valerie J. Pasquarella,Jenica M. Allen,Evelyn M. Beaury,Brittany B. Laginhas,Toni Lyn Morelli,Bethany A. Bradley,Michelle R. Jackson

doi:10.1007/s10530-019-02087-6

Abstract

Invasive alien species are likely to interact with climate change, thus necessitating management that proactively addresses both global changes. However, invasive species managers’ concerns about the effects of climate change, the degree to which they incorporate climate change into their management, and what stops them from doing so remain unknown. Therefore, we surveyed natural resource managers addressing invasive species across the U.S. about their priorities, concerns, and management strategies in a changing climate. Of the 211 managers we surveyed, most were very concerned about the influence of climate change on invasive species management, but their organizations were significantly less so. Managers reported that lack of funding and personnel limited their ability to effectively manage invasive species, while lack of information limited their consideration of climate change in decision-making. Additionally, managers prioritized research that identifies range-shifting invasive species and native communities resilient to invasions and climate change. Managers also reported that this information would be most effectively communicated through conversations, research summaries, and meetings/symposia. Despite the need for more information, 65% of managers incorporate climate change into their invasive species management through strategic planning, preventative management, changing treatment and control, and increasing education and outreach. These results show the potential for incorporating climate change into management, but also highlight a clear and pressing need for more targeted research, accessible science communication, and two-way dialogue between researchers and managers focused on invasive species and climate change.

Highlights

Invasive alien species and climate change are two of the most pressing anthropogenic global changes threatening ecosystems today (GBO 2014; USGCRP 2018)
Despite the need for more information, 65% of managers incorporate climate change into their invasive species management through strategic planning, preventative management, changing treatment and control, and increasing education and outreach. These results show the potential for incorporating climate change into management, and highlight a clear and pressing need for more targeted research, accessible science communication, and two-way dialogue between researchers and managers focused on invasive species and climate change
The consequences of biological invasions are manifold and, as climate change affects the range, abundance, and impacts of invasive species, new challenges to invasive species management are likely to arise (Dukes and Mooney 1999; Hellmann et al 2008; Bellard et al 2013). It is unclear whether natural resource managers are concerned about the influence of climate change on invasive species management, to what degree they are integrating the potential effects of climate change into management, and what barriers limit their ability to do so

Summary

Introduction

Invasive alien species and climate change are two of the most pressing anthropogenic global changes threatening ecosystems today (GBO 2014; USGCRP 2018). The timing and efficacy of current treatment practices could change if climate affects invasive species’ phenology (Wolkovich and Cleland 2011), if biocontrol agents are less resilient to climate warming than their hosts (Hellmann et al 2008), or if increasing atmospheric CO2 enhances plant growth and reduces the efficacy of chemical (Ziska and George 2004) or mechanical (Hellmann et al 2008) control These changes point to the need for proactive planning and management that incorporates climate change.

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Discussion

Conclusion