What do we really know about the impacts of one of the 100 worst invaders in Europe? A reality check

Adrian‐Kalchhauser

et al. 2015

Ambio

Self Cite

Managing invasive species is a major challenge for society. In the case of newly established invaders, rapid action is key for a successful management. Here, we develop, describe and recommend a three-step transdisciplinary process (the ''butterfly model'') to rapidly initiate action for invasion management. In the framing of a case study, we present results from the first of these steps: assessing priorities and contributions of both scientists and decision makers. Both scientists and decision makers prioritise research on prevention. The available scientific knowledge contributions, however, are publications on impacts rather than prevention of the invasive species. The contribution of scientific knowledge does thus not reflect scientists' perception of what is essentially needed. We argue that a more objective assessment and transparent communication of not only decision makers' but also scientists' priorities is an essential basis for a successful cooperation. Our three-step model can help achieve objectivity via transdisciplinary communication.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Section: Costs Of Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Costs Of Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Improving invasive species management by integrating priorities and contributions of scientists and decision makers

Adrian‐Kalchhauser

et al. 2015

Ambio

Self Cite

“…Collaboration with decision makers was facilitated through a series of workshops following an introductory meeting. At this kick‐off meeting, decision makers raised concerns of the species’ negative effects on native ecosystems (Hirsch, N'Guyen, Adrian‐Kalchhauser, & Burkhardt‐Holm, ) and identified population control as a research priority (see N'Guyen, Hirsch, Adrian‐Kalchhauser, & Burkhardt‐Holm, for details on the meeting). Decision maker involvement is a fundamental success factor of invasive species management (Larson, ; Moon, Blackman, & Brewer, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A dynamical model for invasive round goby populations reveals efficient and effective management options

Journal of Applied Ecology

Bozzuto³

et al. 2017

Self Cite

Abstract1. When prevention of invasive species' introductions fails, society faces the challenge to manage invasive species in an effective and efficient way. The success of this depends on biological aspects and on cooperation between decision makers and scientists.Using the case of the round goby Neogobius melanostomus, one of Europe's "worst invasive species", we propose an approach guiding scientists to co-produce effective and efficient population control measures in collaboration with decision makers.2. We surveyed the effectiveness, urgency and simplicity perceived by decision makers as well as the support of two population control options: removal of eggs and/ or adults. Using a field study and a dynamical population model, we investigated the effectiveness and efficiency for both options in different population contexts.3. Decision makers initially seemed to lack a clear preference for either control option.After being presented with preliminary field and modelling results, decision makers mostly approved measures being developed to implement the two control options.4. Starting population control early after detecting the species requires in total fewer years for eradication than controlling an established population: to reach an eradication success rate of 95%, 13 years for early start vs. 18 years for late start are needed when removing eggs and adults; when removing adults only, 20 vs. 29 years are needed. Removing eggs and adults combined results in a yearly effort of 5.01 h/m 2 , while removing adults only results in a yearly effort of 1.76 h/m 2 . Thus, removing adults only proves to be the most efficient option to eradicate the population. Nonetheless, considerable effort is needed: when removing less than 57% of the adult population, eradication is not feasible, even assuming low survival and fecundity rates for the population. Furthermore, inflow of new propagules renders eradication efforts ineffective. Synthesis and applications.Scientists who aim to support decision makers in finding an optimal control strategy for invasive species need to be able to provide scientific knowledge on effectiveness and efficiency of different options. For round goby and most non-native species, eradication is only feasible if started early in recently arrived populations and if inflow of new propagules can be prevented.

Hobbyists acting simultaneously as anglers and aquarists: Novel pathways for non‐native fish and impacts on native fish

Burkhardt‐Holm

2021

Aquatic Conservation

Human translocations of non‐native aquatic species are a global conservation challenge. Aquarists and anglers are two hobbyist groups whose practices are particularly likely to translocate non‐native aquatic species, especially fish. This article aims to stipulate a change of perspective among these hobbyists, who – by acting simultaneously as anglers and aquarists – establish novel pathways for non‐native fish. This study showed that: (i) 51 of 226 respondents to a questionnaire act simultaneously as anglers and aquarists; (ii) 53 of 237 non‐native fish species in the European Union are used for both angling and aquarium hobbies; and (iii) hobbyists write online reports on the catch and exchange of a particularly invasive fish, the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus). This combination of knowledge on how hobbyists use non‐native fish and the ecological impacts of round goby demonstrates how the impact of an invasive species can be influenced by the combined behaviours of anglers and aquarists. We suggest that future research in aquatic conservation should move beyond considering the commercial aquarium trade and angling as separate pathways for translocating non‐native fish, and instead consider these hobbyist groups as interconnected.