Integrating local knowledge to prioritise invasive species management

Abstract

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri bution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Abstract Invasive species management involves complex and multidimensional challenges.There is considerable uncertainty regarding how to identify management strategies that will achieve invasive species control to enhance biodiversity, local economies and human well-being. Invasive species management on inhabited islands is especially challenging, often due to perceived socio-political risks and unexpected technical difficulties.2. Failing to incorporate local knowledge and local perspectives in the early stages of planning can compromise the ability of decision makers to achieve long-lasting conservation outcomes. Hence, engaging the community and accounting for stakeholder perceptions are essential for invasive species management, yet, these processes are often overlooked as they can be perceived as too difficult to implement, too costly and/or too slow for management timeframes.3. To address this gap, we present an application of invasive species management based on structured decision-making, and INFFER-a cost-benefit analysis toolon Minjerribah-North Stradbroke Island (Australia). We assessed the cost-effectiveness of six management scenarios, co-developed with local land managers and community groups, aimed at preserving the environmental and cultural significance of the island by eradicating European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cats (Felis catus). Information was collected in a survey that elicited local stakeholders' perspectives regarding the significance of the Island, their perception of the benefits of the proposed management scenarios, funding requirements, technical feasibility of implementation and socio-political risk.4. We found that low budgets achieve less cost-effective results than higher budgets. The best strategy focussed on controlling the European red foxes on | 221People and Nature CACERES-ESCOBAR Et Al. | 223People and Nature CACERES-ESCOBAR Et Al.

A framework to integrate innovations in invasion science for proactive management

“…Ultimately, scenarios can highlight key uncertainties and incorporate different societal perspectives into the analysis of planned management actions and their anticipated consequences. In this way, they can be used as a synergistic co‐production practice that helps stakeholders communicate their values in envisioning potential futures [known as participatory modelling or scenario development (Caceres‐Escobar et al ., 2019; Harmáčková et al ., 2021)].…”

An Early Bioinvasion in the Azores. Global Circulation and Local Dynamics (1840s–1860s) in Response to the Brown Soft-Scale Coccus hesperidum

“…The number of introduced species is increasing steadily (Keller et al 2011), and climate change creates new natural opportunities and worsens problems for society in this dimension as well (Hellmann et al 2008;Ziska et al 2011). Attempts to control awful animals and plants are often inadequate and unsuccessful: carelessness and political restraints are the basis of control failures when and where they occur; lack of knowledge and doubtfulness are seen as severe constraints (Caceres-Escobar et al 2019). The literature about the historical and social perspectives on introductions and invasions has multiplied in the last few decades, demanding interdisciplinarity (Vaz et al 2017).…”