Cross-fertilizing weed science and plant invasion science to improve efficient management: A European challenge

Abstract

Both weed science and plant invasion science deal with noxious plants. Yet, they have historically developed as two distinct research areas in Europe, with different target species, approaches and management aims, as well as with diverging institutions and researchers involved. We argue that the strengths of these two disciplines can be highly complementary in implementing management strategies and outline how synergies were created in an international, multidisciplinary project to develop efficient and sustainable management of common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia. Because this species has severe impacts on human health and is also a crop weed in large parts of Europe, common ragweed is one of the economically most important plant invaders in Europe. Our multidisciplinary approach combining expertise from weed science and plant invasion science allowed us (i) to develop a comprehensive plant demographic model to evaluate and compare management tools, such as optimal cutting regimes and biological control for different regions and habitat types, and (ii) to assess benefits and risks of biological control. It further (iii) showed ways to reconcile different stakeholder interests and management objectives (health versus crop yield), and (iv) led to an economic model to assess invader impact across actors and domains, and effectiveness of control measures. (v) It also led to design and implement management strategies in collaboration with the various stakeholder groups affected by noxious weeds, created training opportunities for early stage researchers in the sustainable management of noxious plants, and

Invasive alien plant species: Their impact on environment, ecosystem services and human health

“…through SMARTER ("Sustainable Management of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe") under the framework of EU COST Action-FA1203. (Müller-Schärer et al, 2018) (Fig. 3b).…”

“…Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Parthenium hysterophorus, Ailanthus altissima, Acacia, Acer, Casuarina, Eucalyptus, Helianthus, Platanus and Xanthium are some of the IAPS which cause allergy in humans (Belmonte and Vilà, 2004;Mazza et al, 2014;Nyasembe et al, 2015;Lake et al, 2017;Müller-Schärer et al, 2018;Chen et al, 2018;Stone et al, 2018) (Table 2). European continent is the most severely affected area from the allergic immune responses in the form of asthma and other respiratory and skin diseases (Schindler et al, 2015;Bayliss et al, 2017;Müller-Schärer et al, 2018). Among the various species, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, is reported as the most allergy inducing IAPS in Europe (Xu et al, 2006;Pysˇek and Richardson, 2010;Daisie, 2009;Schindler et al, 2015;Lake et al, 2017;Müller-Schärer et al, 2018;Chen et al, 2018).…”

“…European continent is the most severely affected area from the allergic immune responses in the form of asthma and other respiratory and skin diseases (Schindler et al, 2015;Bayliss et al, 2017;Müller-Schärer et al, 2018). Among the various species, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, is reported as the most allergy inducing IAPS in Europe (Xu et al, 2006;Pysˇek and Richardson, 2010;Daisie, 2009;Schindler et al, 2015;Lake et al, 2017;Müller-Schärer et al, 2018;Chen et al, 2018).…”

“…Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is considered the most effective tool (Chen et al, 2018) for managing human health issues due to such allergic IAPS, whereas the adoption of ecological breeding measures like cross-breeding, and understanding the invasion biology of the IAPS can be useful for reducing their health impacts (Müller-Schärer et al, 2018). However, species specific focused studies are warranted to provide an insight of health hazards, emanating from the exposure to IAPS for developing better mitigation strategies.…”

“…3b). Interestingly, besides hazardous health implication of this IAPS (common ragweed), it act as an ideal 'bridge species' in management perspectives to bring transdisciplinary researchers on common platform (Müller-Schärer et al, 2018) (Fig. 3b).…”