Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01442.x
Title (Primary) Grasping at the routes of biological invasions: a framework for integrating pathways into policy
Author Hulme, P.E.; Bacher, S.; Kenis, M.; Klotz, S.; Kühn, I. ORCID logo ; Minchin, D.; Nentwig, W.; Olenin, O.; Panov, V.; Pergl, J.; Pyšek, P.; Roques, A.; Sol, D.; Solarz, W.; Vilà, M.
Source Titel Journal of Applied Ecology
Year 2008
Department BZF
Volume 45
Issue 2
Page From 403
Page To 414
Language englisch
Keywords biocontrol; biosecurity; exotic; pests; propagule pressure; regulation; weeds
Abstract 1. Pathways describe the processes that result in the introduction of alien species from one location to another. A framework is proposed to facilitate the comparative analysis of invasion pathways by a wide range of taxa in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Comparisons with a range of data helped identify existing gaps in current knowledge of pathways and highlight the limitations of existing legislation to manage introductions of alien species. The scheme aims for universality but uses the European Union as a case study for the regulatory perspectives.2. Alien species may arrive and enter a new region through three broad mechanisms: importation of a commodity, arrival of a transport vector, and/or natural spread from a neighbouring region where the species is itself alien. These three mechanisms result in six principal pathways: release, escape, contaminant, stowaway, corridor and unaided.3. Alien species transported as commodities may be introduced as a deliberate release or as an escape from captivity. Many species are not intentionally transported but arrive as a contaminant of a commodity, for example pathogens and pests. Stowaways are directly associated with human transport but arrive independently of a specific commodity, for example organisms transported in ballast water, cargo and airfreight. The corridor pathway highlights the role transport infrastructures play in the introduction of alien species. The unaided pathway describes situations where natural spread results in alien species arriving into a new region from a donor region where it is also alien.4. Vertebrate pathways tend to be characterized as deliberate releases, invertebrates as contaminants and plants as escapes. Pathogenic micro-organisms and fungi are generally introduced as contaminants of their hosts. The corridor and unaided pathways are often ignored in pathway assessments but warrant further detailed consideration.5. Synthesis and applications. Intentional releases and escapes should be straightforward to monitor and regulate but, in practice, developing legislation has proved difficult. New introductions continue to occur through contaminant, stowaway, corridor and unaided pathways. These pathways represent special challenges for management and legislation. The present framework should enable these trends to be monitored more clearly and hopefully lead to the development of appropriate regulations or codes of practice to stem the number of future introductions.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=1047
Hulme, P.E., Bacher, S., Kenis, M., Klotz, S., Kühn, I., Minchin, D., Nentwig, W., Olenin, O., Panov, V., Pergl, J., Pyšek, P., Roques, A., Sol, D., Solarz, W., Vilà, M. (2008):
Grasping at the routes of biological invasions: a framework for integrating pathways into policy
J. Appl. Ecol. 45 (2), 403 - 414 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01442.x