Identifying Priorities, Targets, and Actions for the Long-term Social and Ecological Management of Invasive Non-Native Species

Interacciones efectivas entre academia y gestión: participación de voluntarios para el control de una hiedra invasora en Puerto Blest, Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi (Argentina)

Introducción y objetivos: Las prácticas de manejo de especies no-nativas e invasoras es tema prioritario en áreas protegidas, en especial en estadios tempranos de invasión, porque facilita la recuperación de sistemas nativos. Aquí presentamos una metodología para el control de una planta trepadora invasora, Hedera helix (Araliaceae).  M&M: Se realizó remoción manual y la disposición de los residuos se compostó en bolsas en el lugar. Luego se monitoreó la regeneración natural del bosque nativo. La propuesta incluye la convocatoria de voluntarios, enmarcados en un proyecto de investigación y extensión de la Universidad Nacional Comahue Bariloche con la colaboración de la Administración de Parques Nacionales.  Resultados: Desde 2019 participaron 47 voluntarios, se extrajeron 870 kg (peso húmedo) de material de cinco de los seis sitios identificados. Dos de los cinco sitios intervenidos se encuentran en la etapa de monitoreo de especies nativas.  Conclusión: La participación de voluntarios resultó efectiva en términos de las acciones de control manual, al estar los sitios controlados. De esta manera, se está logrando con éxito un mínimo impacto negativo sobre el entorno, al menos en las especies de plantas, evidenciado por una rápida recolonización pasiva de especies nativas y la eliminación la especie invasora en los sitios intervenidos. En particular, este modo de trabajo permite crear conciencia del problema de las invasiones biológicas en la comunidad y en futuros profesionales. También fortalece las relaciones entre instituciones vinculando la academia con la gestión en conservación, un aspecto a veces difícil de lograr. 

The EICAT+ framework enables classification of positive impacts of alien taxa on native biodiversity

Species introduced through human-related activities beyond their native range, termed alien species, have various impacts worldwide. The IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) is a global standard to assess negative impacts of alien species on native biodiversity. Alien species can also positively affect biodiversity (for instance, through food and habitat provisioning or dispersal facilitation) but there is currently no standardized and evidence-based system to classify positive impacts. We fill this gap by proposing EICAT+, which uses 5 semiquantitative scenarios to categorize the magnitude of positive impacts, and describes underlying mechanisms. EICAT+ can be applied to all alien taxa at different spatial and organizational scales. The application of EICAT+ expands our understanding of the consequences of biological invasions and can inform conservation decisions.

Invasive species services-disservices conundrum: A case study from Kashmir Himalaya

Invasive species and their management represent a multi-faceted issue affecting social and natural systems. People see the advantages and risks of these species through various value structures, which influences decisions on whether and where they can be managed. While many studies have focused on the ecological effects of invasive species, their impact on human livelihoods and well-being is less recognized. Understanding the effects (benefits and costs) of invasive species on livelihoods and human well-being, as well as people's perception, is important for guiding policy formulation and devising management strategies. Here we present a case study of Dal Lake - a freshwater urban lake of Kashmir Himalaya - providing various ecological, biological, and hydrological functions that offer economic, aesthetic, recreational, educational, and other values to the local populace. In the context of a gradually increasing attention on the impacts of Invasive Alien Plant species (IAPs) on this ecosystem, we conducted Focal Group Discussions (FGDs) to determine the perception of people living inside and around Dal Lake regarding two invasive species, namely, Nymphea mexicana and Hydrocharis dubia, and their capacity to provide ecosystem services (ES) and disservices (EDS). Following that, a discursive scenario assessment tool multi-criteria mapping (MCM) was used to involve stakeholders in ranking their priorities in two scenarios of the lake- 'status quo' vs 'clean lake with limited weeds' in the Dal Lake social-ecological system. We found that their perception of the impact of invasive species varies with factors such as the location of invasive plants in the lake, and people's occupation, and household characteristics. Most participants perceive these species positively (i.e., agreeing that they create ecosystem services in the form of cattle feed), but some recognize their importance in providing ecosystem disservices. Their primary concern and priority were the sustenance of their livelihood in any scenario, and most respondents did not oppose the eradication of two IAPs if their livelihood is secure. We conclude that a more nuanced strategy to IAS management is required, one that combines both local livelihood demands and broader environmental and social considerations.