Lessons learned from rapid environmental risk assessments for prioritization of alien species using expert panels

Limiting the spread and impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) on biodiversity and ecosystems has become a goal of global, regional and national biodiversity policies. Evidence based management of IAS requires support by risk assessments, which are often based on expert judgment. We developed a tool to prioritize potentially new IAS based on their ecological risks, socio-economic impact and feasibility of management using multidisciplinary expert panels. Nine expert panels reviewed scientific studies, grey literature and expert knowledge for 152 species. The quality assessment of available knowledge revealed a lack of peer-reviewed data and high dependency on best professional judgments, especially for impacts on ecosystem services and feasibility of management. Expert consultation is crucial for conducting and validating rapid assessments of alien species. There is still a lack of attention for systematic and methodologically sound assessment of impacts on ecosystem services and weighting negative and positive effects of alien species.Peer reviewe

Psychology and aggression

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68264/2/10.1177_002200275900300301.pd

Typha control efficiency of a weed-cutting boat in the Lac de Guiers in Senegal : A preliminary study on mowing speed and re-growth capacity

Prolific growth of Typha australis in the lower part of the Senegal River and the Lac de Guiers resulted from changed ecological conditions following the construction of two high dams in the Senegal River. Fluctuation of the water level has decreased markedly and the water has changed from brackish to fresh as the inflow of salt water from the ocean is prevented. The efficiency of a hydraulic weed cutting boat (model Conver 480 H) has been tested in various plots in the Lac de Guiers. This lake, connected with the Senegal River, is economically very important as it is the city of Dakar's major drinking water supply and also provides irrigation water for vast agricultural areas. Cutting, performed at 20 cm and 50 cm below the water surface, was very effective in removing Typha stands. However, due to the excessively thick stems of the Typha plants, cutting took much more time compared to similar operations in Europe. It was estimated that approximately 35 h were required to clear one ha of dense Typha stands. Directly after cutting re-growth was observed during a relatively brief period (approximately three months), however, subsequently all newly formed growth tips in the plots had suddenly disappeared. It was concluded that this sudden collapse was linked to a destruction of the root zone due to anoxic conditions. Eventual re-growth was relatively slow as after one year the plots were still largely free from Typha plants. Efficiency of mowing was not related significantly to depth of cutting

Typha control efficiency of a weed-cutting boat in the Lac de Guiers in Senegal : A preliminary study on mowing speed and re-growth capacity

Prolific growth of Typha australis in the lower part of the Senegal River and the Lac de Guiers resulted from changed ecological conditions following the construction of two high dams in the Senegal River. Fluctuation of the water level has decreased markedly and the water has changed from brackish to fresh as the inflow of salt water from the ocean is prevented. The efficiency of a hydraulic weed cutting boat (model Conver 480 H) has been tested in various plots in the Lac de Guiers. This lake, connected with the Senegal River, is economically very important as it is the city of Dakar's major drinking water supply and also provides irrigation water for vast agricultural areas. Cutting, performed at 20 cm and 50 cm below the water surface, was very effective in removing Typha stands. However, due to the excessively thick stems of the Typha plants, cutting took much more time compared to similar operations in Europe. It was estimated that approximately 35 h were required to clear one ha of dense Typha stands. Directly after cutting re-growth was observed during a relatively brief period (approximately three months), however, subsequently all newly formed growth tips in the plots had suddenly disappeared. It was concluded that this sudden collapse was linked to a destruction of the root zone due to anoxic conditions. Eventual re-growth was relatively slow as after one year the plots were still largely free from Typha plants. Efficiency of mowing was not related significantly to depth of cutting