Conservation LettersVolume 10, Issue 2 p. 265-266 CORRESPONDENCEOpen Access Blurring Alien Introduction Pathways Risks Losing the Focus on Invasive Species Policy Philip E. Hulme, Corresponding Author Philip E. Hulme philip.hulme@lincoln.ac.nz The Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, PO Box 85084, Canterbury, New ZealandCorrespondencePhilip Hulme, Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, PO Box 85084, Canterbury, New Zealand. Tel: +64 (3) 423 0902; fax: +64 (3) 325 3866.E-mail: philip.hulme@lincoln.ac.nzSearch for more papers by this authorSven Bacher, Sven Bacher Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, 1700 Fribourg, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorMarc Kenis, Marc Kenis CABI, Delémont, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorIngolf Kühn, Ingolf Kühn Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Halle, Germany Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorJan Pergl, Jan Pergl Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, CZ-252 43 Průhonice, Czech RepublicSearch for more papers by this authorPetr Pyšek, Petr Pyšek Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, CZ-252 43 Průhonice, Czech Republic Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44 Praha 2, Czech RepublicSearch for more papers by this authorAlain Roques, Alain Roques INRA UR 0633 Zoologie Forestière, 2163 Av. Pomme de pin, F-45075 Orléans, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorMontserrat Vilà, Montserrat Vilà Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EBD-CSIC), Av. Américo Vespucio s/n, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092 Sevilla, SpainSearch for more papers by this author Philip E. Hulme, Corresponding Author Philip E. Hulme philip.hulme@lincoln.ac.nz The Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, PO Box 85084, Canterbury, New ZealandCorrespondencePhilip Hulme, Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, PO Box 85084, Canterbury, New Zealand. Tel: +64 (3) 423 0902; fax: +64 (3) 325 3866.E-mail: philip.hulme@lincoln.ac.nzSearch for more papers by this authorSven Bacher, Sven Bacher Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, 1700 Fribourg, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorMarc Kenis, Marc Kenis CABI, Delémont, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorIngolf Kühn, Ingolf Kühn Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Halle, Germany Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorJan Pergl, Jan Pergl Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, CZ-252 43 Průhonice, Czech RepublicSearch for more papers by this authorPetr Pyšek, Petr Pyšek Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, CZ-252 43 Průhonice, Czech Republic Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44 Praha 2, Czech RepublicSearch for more papers by this authorAlain Roques, Alain Roques INRA UR 0633 Zoologie Forestière, 2163 Av. Pomme de pin, F-45075 Orléans, FranceSearch for more papers by this authorMontserrat Vilà, Montserrat Vilà Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EBD-CSIC), Av. Américo Vespucio s/n, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092 Sevilla, SpainSearch for more papers by this author First published: 16 May 2016 https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12262Citations: 15AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat The pathways by which alien species are introduced to new regions fall into six broad classes: deliberate release; escape from captivity; contaminant of a commodity; stowaway on a transport vector; via an infrastructure corridor (without which spread would not be possible) or unaided from other invaded regions (Hulme et al. 2008). However, Gilroy et al. (2016) argue that species dispersing naturally, through the infrastructure corridor or unaided pathway, should be classed as native rather than alien. We contend their proposal is not only unworkable but also unwise. The key issue is not how we classify species after they become introduced but the way policies are implemented to prevent biological invasions. Overwhelming evidence confirms infrastructure corridors (as distinct from landscape corridors) as major routes for alien species introductions. In Europe, over 40% of alien marine species have been introduced via canals with subsequent impacts on maritime economies and biodiversity (Katsanevakis et al. 2013). Similarly, many alien species spread unaided from one country to another with often serious conservation consequences such as the alien ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) hybridising with the endangered native white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) in Spain. Gilroy et al. (2016) suggest that, by classifying species that arrive through these pathways as native, policymakers could simply target the subset of new introductions that become pests. But classifying species status by introduction pathway is ambiguous and unworkable since many alien species are introduced through several pathways (e.g., stowaway and corridor) thus preventing an absolute classification of a species as native. Furthermore, the difficulty in predicting which alien species might become a pest means this is often only known after their introduction (Ojaveer et al. 2015). A "pest" rather than "alien" based policy would limit opportunities for preventative action and result in costly pest management instead. In contrast, classifying such species as alien might require anyone undertaking major infrastructure developments to prove beyond a justifiable level of doubt that their actions will not result in biological invasions. Likewise, any decision not to manage established alien species in a territory, such as North American grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) spreading from Italy, will need to ensure such inaction would not result in harm beyond political borders. The transboundary nature of invasive species risk assessment has received scant attention but by ensuring alien species spreading unaided continue to be treated as alien would permit the development of a polluter pays principle to manage invasions (Hulme 2015). These policies also enshrine the precautionary principle and the potential for them to change the way we manage biological invasions is substantial. While existing national legislation may be contradictory (Gilroy et al. 2016), increased regulatory harmonisation is likely to result from the Convention on Biological Diversity adopting the Hulme et al. (2008) framework as the international standard for classifying introduction pathways (CBD 2014). Thus classifying species that disperse naturally through the infrastructure corridor or the unaided pathway as alien not only aligns with recent international policy developments but also facilitates the implementation of cost-effective preventative measures rather than costly pest management. References CBD (2014) Pathways of Introduction of Invasive Species, their Prioritization and Management. UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/18/9/Add.1. Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Montréal. Gilroy J.J., Avery, J.D. & Lockwood, J.L. (2016). Seeking international agreement on what it means to be 'native'. Conserv. Lett., doi: 10.1111/conl.12246. Hulme PE (2015) Invasion pathways at a crossroad: policy and research challenges for managing alien species introductions. J. Appl. Ecol., 52, 1418- 1424. Hulme, P.E., Bacher, S., Kenis, M. et al. (2008). Grasping at the routes of biological invasions: a framework for integrating pathways into policy. J. Appl. Ecol., 45, 403- 414. Katsanevakis, S., Zenetos, A., Belchior C. et al. (2013). Invading European seas: assessing pathways of introduction of marine aliens. Ocean Coast Manage, 76, 64- 74. Ojaveer, H., Galil B.S., Campbell M.L. et al. (2015). Classification of non-indigenous species based on their impacts: considerations for application in marine management. PLOS Biology, 13, e1002130. Citing Literature Volume10, Issue2March/April 2017Pages 265-266 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Philip E. Hulme

Sven Bacher

Marc Kenis

Ingolf Kühn

Jan Pergl

Petr Pyšek

Alain Roques

Montserrat Vilà

Conservation Letters

CONSERVATION LETTERS 是一本科学期刊，发表对保护生物多样性具有重要意义的实证和理论研究。该杂志欢迎生物和社会科学领域的投稿——尤其是跨学科投稿——推动务实的保护目标和科学理解。手稿将按快速沟通时间表发布，因此应该是最新的和热门的。研究文章应该清楚地阐明他们的发现对保护政策和实践的重要性。

Conservation Letters is a scientific journal dedicated to publishing empirical and theoretical research that is significant for the conservation of biodiversity. The journal welcomes submissions from the fields of biological and social sciences, particularly interdisciplinary studies, to advance practical conservation goals and scientific understanding. Manuscripts will be published on a rapid communication timeline, so they should be current and relevant. Research articles should clearly articulate the importance of their findings for conservation policy and practice.

《Conservation Letters》是一本科学期刊，专注于发表对保护生物多样性具有重要意义的实证和理论研究。该期刊欢迎生物科学和社会科学领域的投稿，尤其鼓励跨学科的研究，以推动务实的保护目标和科学理解。手稿将按照快速沟通的时间表发布，因此应确保内容是最新和热门的。研究文章需清晰阐明其发现对保护政策和实践的重要性。

Blurring Alien Introduction Pathways Risks Losing the Focus on Invasive Species Policy

This research presents a probabilistic assessment of the phytochemical properties of fruit silk and its applications in wound healing, which has shown promising results in wound protection and wound healing research.

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环境科学与生态学	1
环境科学与生态学, 生物多样性保护	1

Blurring Alien Introduction Pathways Risks Losing the Focus on Invasive Species Policy

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