Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1111/conl.12215
Title (Primary) Improving international trade regulation by considering intraspecific variation for invasion risk assessment of commercially traded species: The Bombus terrestris case
Author Lecocq, T.; Rasmont, P.; Harpke, A.; Schweiger, O.
Source Titel Conservation Letters
Year 2016
Department BZF
Volume 9
Issue 4
Page From 281
Page To 289
Language englisch
Keywords Invasive risk assessment; invasive species; species distribution model; species trade regulation; subspecies; traded species
UFZ wide themes RU1;
Abstract International trade of species facilitates the establishment of nonnative organisms. Highlighting areas potentially suitable for invasive species (risk areas) allows for effective importation regulations to prevent the spread of and the potential damage caused by such species. Species distribution models (SDMs) are commonly used to predict risk areas but they usually disregard intraspecific differentiation and corresponding differences in climatic requirements. We used Bombus terrestris as an example of a commonly traded species and developed SDMs at the species- and subspecies-level to assess the value of subspecific information for risk area predictions. We show that species-level models are less efficient than subspecies-based SDMs and that risk areas differ considerably between subspecies. Therefore, the invasive potential of a species can depend on the subspecies imported and the particular climatic condition of the target area. This paves the way to novel policy-relevant guidelines to legislate for smart regulations instead of complete import interdictions.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=17834
Lecocq, T., Rasmont, P., Harpke, A., Schweiger, O. (2016):
Improving international trade regulation by considering intraspecific variation for invasion risk assessment of commercially traded species: The Bombus terrestris case
Conserv. Lett. 9 (4), 281 - 289 10.1111/conl.12215