학술논문

Horizon scanning for potential invasive non‐native species across the United Kingdom Overseas Territories
Document Type
article
Source
Conservation Letters, Vol 16, Iss 1, Pp n/a-n/a (2023)
Subject
biological invasions
biosecurity
exotic species
horizon scanning
introduced species
islands
General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution
QH1-199.5
Language
English
ISSN
1755-263X
Abstract
Abstract Invasive non‐native species (INNS) are recognized as a major threat to island biodiversity, ecosystems, and economies globally. Preventing high‐risk INNS from being introduced is the most cost‐effective way to avoid their adverse impacts. We applied a horizon scanning approach to identify potentially INNS in the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (OTs), ranging from Antarctica to the Caribbean, and from the Pacific to the Atlantic. High‐risk species were identified according to their potential for arrival, establishment, and likely impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem function, economies, and human health. Across OTs, 231 taxa were included on high‐risk lists. The highest ranking species were the Asian green mussel (Perna viridis), little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata), brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), and mesquite tree (Prosopis juliflora). Shipping containers were identified as the introduction pathway associated with the most species. The shared high‐risk species and pathways identified provide a guide for other remote islands and archipelagos to focus ongoing biosecurity and surveillance aimed at preventing future incursions.