Using the IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa to inform decision-making

Kumschick, Sabrina; Bertolino, Sandro; Blackburn, Tim M.; Brundu, Giuseppe; Costello, Katie E.; de Groot, Maarten; Evans, Thomas; Gallardo, Belinda; Genovesi, Piero; Govender, Tanushri; Jeschke, Jonathan M.; Lapin, Katharina; Measey, John; Novoa, Ana; Nunes, Ana L.; Probert, Anna F.; Pyšek, Petr; Preda, Cristina; Rabitsch, Wolfgang; Roy, Helen E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6050-679X; Smith, Kevin G.; Tricarico, Elena; Vilà, Montserrat; Vimercati, Giovanni; Bacher, Sven. 2024 Using the IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa to inform decision-making. Conservation Biology, 38 (2), e14214. 10, pp. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14214

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text N536498JA.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (550kB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

The Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) is an important tool for biological invasion policy and management and has been adopted as an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standard to measure the severity of environmental impacts caused by organisms living outside their native ranges. EICAT has already been incorporated into some national and local decision-making procedures, making it a particularly relevant resource for addressing the impact of non-native species. Recently, some of the underlying conceptual principles of EICAT, particularly those related to the use of the precautionary approach, have been challenged. Although still relatively new, guidelines for the application and interpretation of EICAT will be periodically revisited by the IUCN community, based on scientific evidence, to improve the process. Some of the criticisms recently raised are based on subjectively selected assumptions that cannot be generalized and may harm global efforts to manage biological invasions. EICAT adopts a precautionary principle by considering a species’ impact history elsewhere because some taxa have traits that can make them inherently more harmful. Furthermore, non-native species are often important drivers of biodiversity loss even in the presence of other pressures. Ignoring the precautionary principle when tackling the impacts of non-native species has led to devastating consequences for human well-being, biodiversity, and ecosystems, as well as poor management outcomes, and thus to significant economic costs. EICAT is a relevant tool because it supports prioritization and management of non-native species and meeting and monitoring progress toward the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target 6.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14214
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0888-8892
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	biological invasions, evidence synthesis, impact assessment, managing invasive species, precautionary principle
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Data and Information
Date made live:	18 Dec 2023 12:17 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/536498

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...