scholarly journals Invasive Siberian chipmunks Eutamias sibiricus in Italy: a socio-ecological analysis indicates that they could, and should, be removed

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Cerri ◽  
Emiliano Mori ◽  
Rudy Zozzoli ◽  
Andrea Gigliotti ◽  
Antony Chirco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Pest ◽  
Geographic Profiling ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Rapid Removal ◽  
Strong Attachment ◽  
And Control ◽  
Eutamias Sibiricus

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDEradication of invasive alien species is a form of pest control linked to biodiversity conservation that usually involves killing animals. Squirrels are prominent among invasive alien species in Italy with four species introduced. Three of them are included within the list of alien species of European concern and their eradication and control is recommended. However, their local control is not an easy task, being highly appreciated by the general public. We propose a socio-ecological approach to evaluate the feasibility of eradicating Siberian chipmunks (Eutamias sibiricus) populations. We performed a structured questionnaire to assess the social perception of invasive Siberian chipmunks in urban parks where they occur and to identify groups of visitors who might oppose eradication. We also carried out geographic profiling to test for the spatial expansion of chipmunk populations.RESULTSOverall, park visitors regarded chipmunks positively and appreciated to see them, but human-chipmunk interactions were still rare. We did not identify any group of visitors with a strong attachment to chipmunks, who might oppose future control programs. Geographic profiling showed that chipmunks in Valeggio sul Mincio are starting to expand outside of their introduction site.CONCLUSIONSData from questionnaires show that chipmunks eradication, coupled with adequate communication initiatives, might be feasible. Moreover, geographic profiling indicates that time for a rapid removal is running out. Socio-ecological approaches, combining the analysis of structured questionnaires administered to stakeholders and statistical modeling of pest observations, could be a valuable tool to decide the feasibility and the urgency of invasive pest control.

scholarly journals A benefit-cost analysis framework for prioritization of control programs for well-established invasive alien species

NeoBiota ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 31-52
Author(s):  
Rakel Blaalid ◽  
Kristin Magnussen ◽  
Nina Bruvik Westberg ◽  
Ståle Navrud
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
And Control ◽  
Established Species

Invasive alien species (IAS) are identified as a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services. While early detection and control programs to avoid establishments of new alien species can be very cost-effective, control costs for well-established species can be enormous. Many of these well-established species constitute severe or high ecological impact and are thus likely to be included in control programs. However, due to limited funds, we need to prioritize which species to control according to the gains in ecological status and human well-being compared to the costs. Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) provides such a tool but has been hampered by the difficulties in assessing the overall social benefits on the same monetary scale as the control costs. In order to overcome this obstacle, we combine a non-monetary benefit assessment tool with the ecosystem service framework to create a benefit assessment in line with the welfare economic underpinnings of BCA. Our simplified BCA prioritization tool enables us to conduct rapid and cheap appraisals of large numbers of invasive species that the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre has found to cause negative ecological impacts. We demonstrate this application on 30 well-established invasive alien vascular plant species in Norway. Social benefits are calculated and aggregated on a benefit point scale for six impact categories: four types of ecosystem services (supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural), human health and infrastructure impacts. Total benefit points are then compared to the total control costs of programs aiming at eradicating individual IAS across Norway or in selected vulnerable ecosystems. Although there are uncertainties with regards to IAS population size, benefits assessment and control program effectiveness and costs; our simplified BCA tool identified six species associated with robust low cost-benefit ratios in terms of control costs (in million USD) per benefit point. As a large share of public funds for eradication of IAS is currently spent on control programs for other plant species, we recommend that the environmental authorities at all levels use our BCA prioritization tool to increase the social benefits of their limited IAS control budgets. In order to maximize the net social benefits of IAS control programs, environmental valuation studies of their ecosystem service benefits are needed.

Impact and control of invasive alien species on small islands

2002 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.E. Dulloo ◽  
S.P. Kell ◽  
C.G. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Small Islands ◽  
And Control

scholarly journals DESARROLLO DE LA DIMENSIÓN AMBIENTAL MEDIANTE ACTIVIDADES EDUCATIVAS SOBRE ESPECIES EXÓTICAS INVASORAS CON LOS ESTUDIANTES DE LA CARRRERA BIOLOGÍA

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Daimary Andaya Rodríguez ◽  
Larisa Espinosa Cruz ◽  
Raúl Alejandro Verdecia Pérez ◽  
Nélida Báez Montes de Oca
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Educational Activities ◽  
Biology Students ◽  
Environmental Dimension ◽  
Empirical Level ◽  
Para Determinar ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
And Control

Para desarrollar la dimensión ambiental, desde el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje de las asignaturas biológicas es necesario el conocimiento de las especies exóticas invasoras así como su prevención, manejo y control. El presente trabajo propone desarrollar un grupo de actividades educativas sobre especies exóticas invasoras desde la carrera Biología. Se utilizan métodos del nivel teórico y empírico para determinar la situación existente en los estudiantes, donde se evidenció poco dominio de estos contenidos, así como modos de actuación inadecuados ante el cuidado y protección del medio ambiente. El aporte principal es una propuesta de actividades que favorecen el desarrollo de la dimensión ambiental de los alumnos de la carrera Biología, enfatizando en las habilidades y valores que le permitan transformar la problemática ambiental desde una orientación profesional pedagógica .Para su implementación se tuvieron en cuenta los contenidos de las disciplinas Botánica y Zoología y las formas de organización docente. PALABRAS CLAVE: dimensión ambiental; especies exóticas invasoras; diversidad biológica; ecosistema; enseñanza. DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES WITH THE STUDENTS OF THE CARRERA BIOLOGÍA ABSTRACT To develop the environmental dimension, from the teaching-learning process of the biological subjects it is necessary to know the invasive alien species as well as their prevention, management and control. The present work proposes to develop a group of educational activities on invasive alien species from the Biology career. Methods of the theoretical and empirical level are used to determine the existing situation in the students, where little mastery of these contents was evidenced, as well as inadequate ways of acting before the care and protection of the environment. The main contribution is a proposal of activities that favor the development of the environmental dimension of Biology students, emphasizing on the skills and values ​​that allow transforming the environmental problem from a pedagogical professional orientation. For its implementation were taken into account the contents of the disciplines Botany and Zoology and the forms of teaching organization. KEYWORDS: Environmental dimension; exotic invading sorts; biological diversity; ecosystem; teaching.

scholarly journals A framework for improving understanding of volunteers' motivations to monitor and control invasive alien species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Anđelković ◽  
Lori Lawson Handley ◽  
Elizabete Marchante ◽  
Tim Adriaens ◽  
Peter Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
And Control ◽  
Volunteer Motivations

Citizens make an important contribution to the study and management of biological invasions, as many monitoring and control projects rely heavily on volunteer assistance. Understanding the reasons why people participate in such projects is critical for successful recruitment and retention of volunteers. While research attention for this topic is growing, it is published in journals from different disciplines. We used a meta-synthesis approach to extract, analyze and synthesize the available information from 28 selected studies investigating motivations of volunteers to engage in monitoring and control of invasive alien species (IAS). Our findings show how motivations fit three broad themes, reflecting environmental concerns, social motivations, and personal reasons. An important outcome of this study is the description of motivations that are unique to the IAS context: supporting IAS management, protecting native species and habitats, and livelihood/food/income protection or opportunities. In addition, our study reflects on important methodological choices for investigating volunteer motivations as well as ethical issues that may arise in practice. We conclude with a set of recommendations for project design and future research on volunteer motivations in IAS contexts, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with social scientists.

scholarly journals Protecting Biodiversity from Invasive Alien Species by Improving Policy Instruments in Greece: The INVALIS Project Action Plan

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1205
Author(s):  
Orfeas Roussos ◽  
Christina Kapetanopoulou ◽  
Dimitra Petza
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Specific Policy ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
And Control ◽  
Of Greece

The Protecting European Biodiversity from Invasive Alien Species (INVALIS) project objective is to improve policies for protecting biodiversity from invasive alien species (IAS), by bringing together seven partners from seven countries and supporting policy measures for prevention, early detection, and control of IAS in their respective territories. The project is funded by the Interreg Europe program. The learning process of the INVALIS project consisted of various experience-exchanging activities among the project partners (interregional workshops, site visits, etc.), as well as among stakeholders at a regional level. This exchange of experiences led to the drafting of regional Action Plans by each partner. The INVALIS Action Plan of Greece is based on an analysis of the current situation of IAS management in Greece, and the transfer of good practices and conclusions derived from the exchange of experiences. Gaps in IAS management were identified mainly in the areas of raising public awareness of IAS and networking among IAS stakeholders. As a result, three actions were proposed to address these deficits: initiating a project on education and raising awareness about IAS, creating a web portal on these species, and establishing an IAS management working group. These actions will contribute towards improving specific policy instruments in Greece.

scholarly journals Introduction and Spread of the Invasive Alien Species Ageratina altissima in a Disturbed Forest Ecosystem

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6152
Author(s):  
Eunyoung Kim ◽  
Jaeyong Choi ◽  
Wonkyong Song
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Forest Edges ◽  
Forest Interior ◽  
Lower Elevation ◽  
Canopy Area

Invasive alien species (IAS) not only displace nearby indigenous plants and lead to habitat simplification but also cause severe economic damage by invading arable lands. IAS invasion processes involve external forces such as species characteristics, IAS assemblage traits, environmental conditions, and inter-species interactions. In this study, we analyzed the invasion processes associated with the introduction and spread of Ageratina altissima, a representative invasive plant species in South Korea. We investigated 197 vegetation quadrats (2 × 20 m) in regions bordering 47 forests in southern Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A total of 23 environmental variables were considered, which encompassed vegetation, topography, land use, and landscape ecology indices. The model was divided into an edge and an interior model and analyzed using logistic regression and a decision tree (DT) model. The occurrence of Ageratina altissima was confirmed in 61 sites out of a total of 197. According to our analysis, Ageratina altissima easily invaded forest edges with low density. The likelihood of its occurrence increased with lower elevation and gentler slope. In contrast, the spread of Ageratina altissima in the forest interior, especially based on seed spread and permeability, was favored by a lower elevation and gentler slopes. The analysis of Ageratina altissima settlement processes in forest edges coupled with the DT model demonstrated that land characteristics, such as the proximity to urbanized areas and the number of shrub and tree species, play a pivotal role in IAS settlement. In the forest interior, Ageratina altissima did not occur in 68 of the 71 sites where the soil drainage was under 2.5%, and it was confirmed that the tree canopy area had a significant impact on forest spread. Based on these results, it can be assumed that Ageratina altissima has spread in South Korean forests in much the same way as other naturalized species. Therefore, vegetation management strategies for naturalized species should be developed in parallel with land use management policy in regions surrounding forest edges to successfully manage and control Ageratina altissima invasion.

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