Prioritising pathways, alien species, and sites for contingency planning

Post category:2019 / News
Reading time:4 mins read

4 December 2019 | By Ashlyn Padayachee

New species are introduced to environments outside their native ranges, sometimes causing negative ecological and socio-economic impacts. Identifying which species are potentially problematic is important in planning strategic responses for preventing introductions and mitigating impacts in vulnerable environments such as cities. In this study, Ashlyn Padayachee, Şerban Procheş and C·I·B Core Team Member John Wilson, developed a method for identifying and prioritising pathways, alien species and sites with the most potential for negative impacts in Durban.

Usually prevention strategies focus on either species, sites, or pathways. Alien species are assigned to ‘watch’ or ‘warn’ lists to alert decision makers to potentially harmful species (e.g. the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act alien species watchlist). Pathways that are responsible for the highest number of introductions are usually given priority for preventive measures to be implemented. The most susceptible and sensitive sites are also prioritised for strategic responses. Incorporating all three aspects of biological invasions — species, sites, and pathways — is important for effectively preventing alien species introductions.

In this study, the authors developed a set of criteria to identify alien species from the national watchlist produced for South Africa. Species which fit the criteria, and those being introduced through pathways which are operational in Durban, were selected. Four species were identified as potential problems for Durban, if introduced there: alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides); southern sandbur (Cenchrus echinatus); American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) and red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). To identify sites most likely to be invaded, the authors integrated climatic models with data on potential points of introduction for these species. This allowed for the easy identification of potentially harmful threats and direct where strategic responses should be focused.

Deciding how priorities should be assigned is a fundamental question when addressing biological invasions. Prioritisation schemes should be easily and efficiently implementable, taking into consideration all aspects of biological invasions. Holistic prevention schemes, such as the one developed in this study, will assist decision makers in easily identifying threats and focusing resources on targeting pathways, species and sites which pose the greatest risk of negative impacts.

“Developing holistic methods that incorporate all three aspects of biological invasions will afford decision makers with the greatest chance of preventing alien species introductions,” says Ashlyn Padayachee, lead author of the paper published in NeoBiota.

Climatic models developed using the Maxent modelling algorithm to assess the likelihood of species establishing in Durban (a: alligator weed; b: southern sandbur; c: American bullfrog; and d: red imported fire ant). The climatic models produced were overlaid with data on potential points of first introduction (pet and aquarium shops; plant nurseries and garden centres; and the Durban Harbour) to identify potential sites of first naturalisation for the species identified in this study. (Graphic: Padayachee et al. 2019)

Read paper in NeoBiota

Padayachee AL, Procheş Ş, Wilson JR (2019) Prioritising potential incursions for contingency planning: pathways, species, and sites in Durban (eThekwini), South Africa as an example. Neobiota 47: 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.47.31959

For more information contact Ashlyn Padayachee: ashlyn.levadia@gmail.com

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