Citation: Sandvik, H., B.-E. Sæther, T. Holmern, J. Tufto, S. Engen, and H. E. Roy (2013) Generic ecological impact assessments of alien species in Norway: a semi-quantitative set of criteria. Biodiversity and Conservation, 22, 37–62.
doi: 10.1007/s10531-012-0394-z [what’s a doi?].
Key words: Black List criteria, ecological effect, invasion potential, non-native species, quantitative risk assessment, risk classification.
Abstract:
The ecological impact assessment scheme that has
been developed to classify alien species in Norway is presented. The underlying
set of criteria enables a generic and semi-quantitative impact assessment of alien species.
The criteria produce a classification of alien species that is testable, transparent and
easily adjustable to novel evidence or environmental change. This gives a high
scientific and political legitimacy to the end product and enables an effective
prioritization of management efforts, while at the same time paying attention to
the precautionary principle. The criteria chosen are applicable to all species
regardless of taxonomic position. This makes the assessment scheme comparable
to the Red List criteria used to classify threatened species.
The impact of alien species is expressed along two independent axes,
one measuring invasion potential, the other ecological effects. Using this
two-dimensional approach, the categorization captures the ecological impact
of alien species, which is the product rather than the sum of spread and effect.
Invasion potential is assessed using three criteria, including expected
population lifetime and expansion rate. Ecological effects are evaluated
using six criteria, including interactions with native species, changes in
landscape types, and the potential to transmit genes or parasites.
Effects on threatened species or landscape types receive greater weightings.
Full text: © 2013 Springer. The original publication is available at SpringerLink. If you accept (i) that further reproduction, and all further use other than for personal research, is subject to permission from the publisher (Springer-Verlag), and (ii) that printouts have to be made on recycled paper, you may download a pre-print version of the article here (pdf, 1.6 MB).
Supplementary material: R-scripts for the estimation of expected population lifetime and expansion rate of alien species are available from the first author.
Related publications:
- The method has been applied to alien species in Norway.
- GEIAA is a revised and improved version of the method described here.