Increasing awareness of invasive species in coastal ecosystems and early detection through DNA-based tools: a study with middle school students

The role of trust in public attitudes toward invasive species management on Guam: A case study

Biological invasions occur worldwide, and have been the object of ecological and socio-economic research for decades. However, the manner in which different stakeholder groups identify the problems associated with invasive species and confront invasive species management under different policies remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted an econometric analysis of the social factors influencing willingness to pay for invasive alien species management under two different regimes: eradication and prevention in the Doñana Natural Protected Area (SW Spain). Controlling for the participation of local residents, tourists and conservationists, email and face-to-face questionnaires were conducted. Results indicated that respondents were more willing to pay for eradication than prevention; and public support for invasive alien species management was influenced by an individual's knowledge and perception of invasive alien species, active interest in nature, and socio-demographic attributes. We concluded that invasive alien species management research should confront the challenges to engage stakeholders and accept any tradeoffs necessary to modify different conservation policies to ensure effective management is implemented. Finally, our willingness to pay estimates suggest the Department of Environment of Andalusian Government has suitable social support to meet the budgetary expenditures required for invasive alien species plans and adequate resources to justify an increase in the invasive alien species management budget.

Does fire and herbicide benefit cattle production in invaded grassland landscapes?

In recent decades, substantial evidence has accumulated regarding the effects of climate change on the establishment, spread, and impact of invasive species. While the importance of incorporating climate change into invasive species management and policy is increasingly recognized, practitioner experiences and perspectives are often overlooked. Consequently, invasive species research may be misaligned with the needs of managers and the threats of climate change. Here, we compare survey responses from a boundary‐spanning organization, the Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC) Management Network, to identify common priorities and challenges in managing invasive species in a changing climate in the United States. Survey respondents reported that 22% of management and research time is dedicated to emerging invasive species threats. Common barriers to climate‐informed invasive species management include limited time, funding, and personnel. Understanding how climate change may impact control strategies was consistently identified as a high priority for invasive species management, followed by identifying resilient ecosystems and range‐shifting taxa. These results demonstrate the critical need for stronger researcher‐practitioner networks and greater investment in research and policy topics that more closely align with management needs to address the interacting stressors of invasive species and climate change.

Decision makers and researchers recognize the need to effectively confront the social dimensions and conflicts inherent to invasive species research and management. Yet, despite numerous contentious situations that have arisen, no systematic evaluation of the literature has examined the commonalities in the patterns and types of these emergent social issues. Using social and ecological keywords, we reviewed trends in the social dimensions of invasive species research and management and the sources and potential solutions to problems and conflicts that arise around invasive species. We integrated components of cognitive hierarchy theory and risk perceptions theory to provide a conceptual framework to identify, distinguish, and provide understanding of the driving factors underlying disputes associated with invasive species. In the ISI Web of Science database, we found 15,915 peer-reviewed publications on biological invasions, 124 of which included social dimensions of this phenomenon. Of these 124, 28 studies described specific contentious situations. Social approaches to biological invasions have emerged largely in the last decade and have focused on both environmental social sciences and resource management. Despite being distributed in a range of journals, these 124 articles were concentrated mostly in ecology and conservation-oriented outlets. We found that conflicts surrounding invasive species arose based largely on differences in value systems and to a lesser extent stakeholder and decision maker's risk perceptions. To confront or avoid such situations, we suggest integrating the plurality of environmental values into invasive species research and management via structured decision making techniques, which enhance effective risk communication that promotes trust and confidence between stakeholders and decision makers.

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.

Introduction - Invasive Species and Conservation: a Global Challenge 1. Biosecurity and Quarantine for Preventing Invasive Species 2. Risk Assessment of Invasive Species 3. Detection and Early Warning of Invasive Species 4. Eradication of Invasive Species: Progress and Emerging Issues in the 21st Century 5. Principles of Containment and Control of Invasive Species 6. Biological Control of Invasive Species 7. Public Participation in Invasive Species Management 8. International Legal Instruments and Frameworks for Invasive Species 9. Management of Invasive Terrestrial Plants 10. Management of Invasive Aquatic Plants 11. Management of Invasive Invertebrates: Lessons from the Management of an Invasive Alien Ant 12. Management of Terrestrial Vertebrate Pests 13. Management of Invasive Fish 14. Marine Biosecurity: Management Options and Response Tools 15. Management of Interacting Invasives: Ecosystem Approaches References Index

Adaptive management theory has attracted substantial interest in recent years, in natural resource management in general and also for invasive alien species management. However, whilst many theoretical and conceptual advances have been made, documented cases of practical applications are rare. Coupling invasive species management components with adaptive feedback processes is not without challenges, requiring a substantial change in the thinking and practice of all those involved. Drawing on a decade of experience in South African National Parks, we suggest an approach to implementing adaptive management for controlling invasive alien species. Whilst efforts have been made to advance components of the overall management strategy, the absence of a framework for decision making and feedback mechanisms, inflexibility in the system and shortcomings in the governance structure are all identified as barriers to learning and knowledge integration for the purposes of effective invasive alien species management. The framework provided here, encompassing documents, committees and processes, is aimed at addressing these shortcomings. Conservation implication: Adaptive management theory offers a robust tool for managing inherently complex systems. Its practical application, however, requires distilling the theory into useable functions. We offer a framework to advance implementation of strategic adaptive management for the control of invasive alien species using experiences gained from South African National Parks.

Adaptive management theory has attracted substantial interest in recent years, in natural resource management in general and also for invasive alien species management. However, whilst many theoretical and conceptual advances have been made, documented cases of practical applications are rare. Coupling invasive species management components with adaptive feedback processes is not without challenges, requiring a substantial change in the thinking and practice of all those involved. Drawing on a decade of experience in South African National Parks, we suggest an approach to implementing adaptive management for controlling invasive alien species. Whilst efforts have been made to advance components of the overall management strategy, the absence of a framework for decision making and feedback mechanisms, inflexibility in the system and shortcomings in the governance structure are all identified as barriers to learning and knowledge integration for the purposes of effective invasive alien species management. The framework provided here, encompassing documents, committees and processes, is aimed at addressing these shortcomings.Conservation implication: Adaptive management theory offers a robust tool for managing inherently complex systems. Its practical application, however, requires distilling the theory into useable functions. We offer a framework to advance implementation of strategic adaptive management for the control of invasive alien species using experiences gained from South African National Parks.

Towards a societal discourse on invasive species management: A case study of public perceptions of mink and beavers in Cape Horn

Assessing biological invasions in protected areas after 30 years: Revisiting nature reserves targeted by the 1980s SCOPE programme

Invasive alien species and planetary and global health policy

The invasion by exotic plant species into native plant communities is a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem function across the globe. In many cases, their widespread establishment and spread is facilitated by their deliberate introduction for pasture, lawn and soil conservation. This thesis discusses the impact, spread and management of invasive pasture species within Queensland, Australia, with a particular focus on the exotic grass species Bothriochloa pertusa (Indian couch). Bothriochloa pertusa was introduced in 1939 and in recent decades its spread and observed dominance throughout the landscape has raised concerns about the impacts of this species on native biodiversity. I investigated the impacts of B. pertusa on floristic diversity and discuss these results in the context of Queensland’s recent and rapid intensification of land-use.In Chapter 2, I used comprehensive mapping data and results from field surveys to investigate changes in land-use and the cover of prominent invasive species over time (1996 – 2018), within a focus area of Queensland. I found that despite policy developments aimed at reducing land-clearing and protecting threatened ecosystems during this time, land-clearing still occurred at a rate of 36,960 ha per year in the study area, mainly for the expansion of grazing and cropping agricultural systems. Remaining fragments of native vegetation experienced a significant increase in the cover and occupancy of the invasive pasture species, B. pertusa and Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass). I discuss the role of propagule pressure altered disturbance regimes and habitat loss in promoting the spread of these species in Queensland. The results from this chapter highlight the significant and ongoing impacts of land-use change for native biodiversity. Further they highlight the need to implement consistent, effective and well-regulated policies to protect species and habitats in the future. In Chapter 3, I present a comprehensive account of the introduction history of B. pertusa and discuss factors associated with its spread throughout the landscape. Using B. pertusa presence/absence data I also built habitat suitability models, to predict its potential distribution and cover within Queensland. Results from this chapter highlight climatic extremes and livestock grazing as key mechanisms facilitating the establishment and spread of B. pertusa. In Chapter 4, I used fence-line comparisons, within two conservation reserves and their neighbouring pastoral properties, to further assess the role of grazing in facilitating the spread of B. pertusa. Within both reserves and across the three vegetation types examined, the cover of B. pertusa was higher in the grazed pastoral property than the conservation reserve. Diversity did not differ significantly between the pastoral properties and reserves, although this result was likely confounded by high C. ciliaris cover within the un-grazed reserve. Results suggest grazing protected areas and conservative stocking rates can reduce the spread and impact of B. pertusa within Queensland and elsewhere in Australia. Other invasive species however, such as C. ciliaris may be favoured by grazing protection. In Chapter 5, I comment on the use of controlled livestock grazing to manage the invasive grass Cenchrus ciliaris and discuss the implications of this for the spread of B. pertusa.In Chapter 6, I investigated the impact of B. pertusa on native floristic diversity in the iron-bark woodlands of sub-coastal Queensland, a habitat particularly vulnerable to invasion. Specifically, I assessed its impact across multiple spatial-scales and found that diversity was lower at both small and large spatial scales in invaded areas. By examining changes to root-traits with increasing invader cover we found that competition for belowground space and resources was a likely mechanism contributing to its broad-scale impact on diversity. Results from these two chapters highlight the capacity for B. pertusa to continue to spread and intensify in Queensland, with the potential for significant and large-scale declines in floristic diversity.In Chapter 7, I bring together my results and those of previous studies, to provide recommendations and discuss strategies to reduce the impacts of B. pertusa, but more broadly the impacts of invasive pasture species and land-use change. With the majority of land-used for livestock grazing, ensuring the implementation of adaptive and conservative grazing strategies is crucial for maintaining ecosystem resilience and improving resistance to invasion and stochastic events. Further, encouraging the protection and restoration of habitat by ensuring its economic viability for producers is essential and there is considerable scope for this to be achieved (i.e. premium carbon credits, environmental stewardship). For the successful application of these initiatives however, they must be coupled with ongoing research and adequate financial, technical and administrative support.This thesis examined the spread and impact of invasive pasture species and in doing so highlighted the interactions between land-use change, the spread of invasive species and biodiversity decline. The findings presented here suggest the current approach to land-use is not compatible with the conservation of native species and habitats, and considerable changes are necessary if we are to ensure their persistence in the future.

The invasion of non-indigenous plants is considered one of the primary threats to rare and endangered species as well as to the integrity and function of North American ecosystems. However, many of the suspected negative ecosystem impacts are based on anecdotal evidence. For example, there is almost unanimous agreement among natural resource managers of the detrimental ecological impacts of species such as Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife), Phragmites australis (common reed) and Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) but convincing documentation is scarce. Experimental and theoretical ecology predicts large ecosystem impacts of the most widespread invasive species. However, it is difficult to prioritize control of species that occur at intermediate densities. Long-term monitoring before and during the invasion as well as before, during and after any control attempts can provide valuable ecological information. In particular, it is important to understand how changes in the abundance of species influence ecosystem properties and processes which, in turn, will help guide management decisions. Ideally, this monitoring has to go beyond 'simple’ impacts on plant communities, involve cross-disciplinary teams of scientists and should incorporate many different taxa and their interactions. Monitoring design and data collection should be sophisticated enough to allow statistically sound data analysis. The available information will be paramount in (1) developing new political and scientific guidelines in invasive species management, (2) helping resolve potential conflicts of interest and (3) helping change public attitudes regarding growth, sale, and control of non-indigenous species.

This paper focuses on invasive plant species management, including risk assessment methodologies, applications, benefits, and costs. Prevention is the most effective and economical strategy for managing invasive species. However, predicting which species will become invasive is challenging, and existing tools have limitations. The paper provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, industry professionals, researchers, and stakeholders involved in invasive species management.