Bacher, S., Ryan-Colton, E., Coiro, M., Cassey, P., Galil, B.S., Nuñez, M.A., Ansong, M., Dehnen-Schmutz, K., Fayvush, G., Fernandez, R.D., Hiremath, A.J., Ikegami, M., Martinou, A.F., McDermott, S.M., Preda, C., Vilà, M., Weyl, O.L.F., Ananthram, A.N., Angelidou, I., Athanasiou, K., Atkore, V., Barney, J.N., Blackburn, T.M., Brockerhoff, E.G., Carbutt, C., Carisio, L., Céspedes, V., Christopoulou, A., Cisneros-Heredia, D.F., Cooling, M., de Groot, M., Demetriou, J., Dickey, J.W.E., Duboscq-Carra, V.G., Early, R., Evans, T.E., Gallardo, B., Gruber, M., Hui, C., Jeschke, J.M., Joelson, N.Z., Khan, M.A., Kumschick, S., Lach, L., Lapin, K., Lioy, S., Liu, C., MacMullen, Z.J., Mazzitelli, M.A., Measey, J., Mrugała-Koese, A.A., Musseau, C.L., Nahrung, H.F., Pepori, A., Pertierra, L.R., Pienaar, E.F., Pyšek, P., Rivas Torres, G., Rojas Martinez, H.A., Rojas-Sandoval, J., Ryan-Schofield, N.L., Sánchez, R.M., Santini, A., Santoro, D., Scalera, R., Schmidt, L., Shivambu, T.C., Sohrabi, S., Tricarico, E., Trillo, A., van't Hof, P., Volery, L., & Zengeya, T.A. (2025) Global Impacts Dataset of Invasive Alien Species (GIDIAS). Scientific Data 12: 832.
Abstract: Invasive alien species are a major driver of global change, impacting biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human livelihoods. To document these impacts, we present the Global Impacts Dataset of Invasive Alien Species (GIDIAS), a dataset on the positive, negative and neutral impacts of invasive alien species on nature, nature’s contributions to people, and good quality of life. This dataset arises from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services’ (IPBES) thematic assessment report of this topic. Data were compiled from published sources, including grey literature, reporting a direct observation of an invasive alien species’ impact. All impact records contain up to 52 fields of contextual information and attempt to link impacts to the global standard “environmental impact classification for alien taxa” (EICAT) and “socio-economic impact classification for alien taxa” (SEICAT). GIDIAS includes more than 22000 records of impacts caused by 3353 invasive alien species (plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, microorganisms) from all continents and realms (terrestrial, freshwater, marine), extracted from over 6700 sources. We intend GIDIAS to be a global resource for investigating and managing the variety of impacts of invasive alien species across taxa and regions.
Abstract: Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmare; EAB) is a woodboring beetle that is considered one of the most damaging invasive forest insects in North America, causing near complete mortality of native ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees across multiple states. Management options include both biological control using parasitoid wasps from EAB’s native range, and chemical control with systemic insecticides. Although both strategies are being used to control EAB, the public’s support for these methods is not well understood. In 2023, we surveyed 174 urban park users in northeastern Georgia, United States, to identify determinants of their support for EAB control. Most respondents were not previously aware of EAB and ash trees, although they valued the ecosystem services provided by park trees. Respondents were more supportive of biological control than chemical control, perceiving greater ecological and human well-being risks from chemical control. Respondents’ risk perceptions pertaining to control methods and EAB, and their attitudes towards ash trees influenced their support for EAB control. Birdwatchers were less likely to support chemical control and individuals who like to sit and enjoy nature were more likely to support biological control. Our results suggest that park managers’ outreach about EAB control should emphasize the aesthetic appeal and ecosystem services provided by urban ash trees and the invasion impacts of EAB. Outreach should also highlight that EAB control does not pose ecological or human well-being risks, parasitoid wasps help to secure ecosystem function through pest control and do not pose a risk to people, and EAB control will not adversely impact recreational activities within the park.
Abstract: The exotic pet trade is a wicked problem involving economic, social, political, ethical, and environmental dimensions, which cannot be resolved using conventional management strategies that are informed by restricted expertise. In 2023, we surveyed 26 government agency personnel and 57 academic researchers in the United States who focus on the risks of the exotic pet trade to ascertain how experts characterize the wicked problem of the exotic pet trade and their support for conventional versus collaborative management of the trade. Both academic and agency respondents framed the ecological risks associated with the exotic pet trade similarly, expressing greatest concern about species invasions and pathogen transmission to native species. Respondents exhibited low levels of trust in stakeholders in the exotic pet trade, considering it likely that all stakeholders (except the commercial industry) would fail to comply with pet trade regulations. Agency respondents tended to agree that current regulations have been effective in mitigating invasion risks while academic respondents disagreed that current regulations adequately mitigate the invasion and disease risks of the pet trade or overexploitation of species. Agency respondents were more likely to agree that regulations are enforceable. All respondents were supportive of additional federal regulations of the exotic pet trade. Our findings are consistent with the argument that wicked problems are perpetuated because managers and scientists default to conventional cause-effect problem statements and top-down management approaches that focus on management structure and execution. Transitioning from top-down regulatory approaches to collaborative decision making, in which agencies, scientists, and exotic pet trade stakeholders work together to resolve the wicked problem of the exotic pet trade, would build trust and allow for flexible, adaptive management of the trade.
Abstract: Reports of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are increasing worldwide, particularly in North America where a diversity of endemic and exotic tick species and pathogens occur. Native American populations have unique outdoor cultural and occupational practices that may impact their exposure to ticks, yet this risk remains understudied in the context of TBDs. To address this gap, we examined knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ticks and TBDs among Native American communities in Humboldt County, California. We conducted semi-structured interviews with participants, who represented various tribes, at a cultural gathering. Cultural practices intertwined closely with outdoor activities (e.g., ceremonies, dances), potentially influencing local tick exposure patterns. Most research participants had been bitten by ticks and reported tick exposure by children and pets. Research participants demonstrated low knowledge about ticks and TBDs, as well as low levels of risk perceptions pertaining to TBDs. Research participants most commonly conducted tick checks after outdoor activity, wore long-sleeved clothing outdoors, and used homeopathic remedies or essential oils to prevent exposure to ticks and TBDs. Culturally appropriate outreach and education initiatives are needed to address TBD risk among Native American communities. Our study lays the groundwork for future research on the intersection of cultural practices and tick exposure, with implications for public health interventions that are tailored to the needs of indigenous populations.
Abstract: The Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery has been caught in a spiral of more restrictive regulations and disputed management. Current management measures have failed to reduce fishing mortality, owing in part to derby style fishing. A harvest tag system could potentially better limit fishing mortality without decreasing harvest seasons. In 2019/20 we surveyed 766 recreational anglers who fish in Florida with private boats to ascertain their preferences for regulation changes, and how they would alter their fishing effort if a harvest tag was implemented. Respondents were heterogeneous in terms of their preferences for harvest tags versus current management approaches, with most respondents preferring to maintain their current effort under the existing management approach of bag, size, and season limits. Respondents who preferred harvest tags indicated that they might increase or decrease fishing effort. Our findings suggest that more stringent regulations using current management approaches will not secure angler satisfaction or reduce fishing pressure on the red snapper stock. Harvest tags, though not preferred by all respondents, may allow regulators to better manage the number of anglers in the fishery and to rebuild the stock, although implementing this program will pose some challenges.
Abstract: The exotic pet trade has resulted in substantial invasion and disease risks, owing to the release of pets into new environments. Scientists have conjectured that pet owners acquire and release species with undesirable traits because they are imperfectly informed about the traits of these animals. However, few studies have used social science methods to elicit pet owners’ preferences for exotic pets. In 2019 we administered a best-worst choice survey to 1,055 exotic pet owners in the United States (who own pet reptiles, amphibians, fish, or invertebrates) to examine how human preferences and incomplete information may contribute to the risks of the exotic pet trade. Respondents preferred colorful and patterned species. On average, respondents preferred medium-sized amphibians and reptiles, small fish, and large invertebrates, although they demonstrated heterogeneity in preferences with respect to the adult size of pets. Respondents also preferred amphibians and reptiles with medium life expectancies and fish and invertebrates with long life expectancies, although they again demonstrated heterogeneity in preferences with respect to pets’ life span. Respondents preferred docile animals, and were more likely to purchase lower-cost pets. We found some evidence that respondents’ decision to purchase exotic pets depended on whether these animals were native, rare, had unusual morphological features, and breed easily. Respondents’ decision to purchase specific taxa as exotic pets also depended on their age, education, and whether they live in houses. Most respondents stated that they searched for information on pets’ diet, behavior, adult size, life span, costs of care such as equipment or veterinarian costs, and whether the animal was captive bred before purchasing these animals. Excepting pets’ diets, less than half of respondents had been offered information on pets’ traits by sellers. On average, respondents rated the information they had been offered as average. Respondents typically obtained additional information about pets from online searches. Our results suggest that certification systems that provide critical information on exotic pets’ behaviors, adult size, longevity, fecundity, and husbandry needs should be implemented to prevent pet owners acquiring animals that they may subsequently abandon.
Abstract:
Urbanization is a key driver of global environmental change, and is adversely impacting wildlife populations. Human tolerance for wildlife is critical to wildlife conservation in urban areas.
Using metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, United States, as a case study, we investigated human tolerance for a range of different wildlife species. Almost half of the human-wildlife interactions that are reported to the state wildlife agency originate from metropolitan Atlanta, which is one of the fastest growing metropolises in the United States.
We surveyed a representative sample of 1,006 residents of metropolitan Atlanta in 2022. We found heterogeneity in respondents’ tolerance for various species, although most respondents were intolerant of bobcats, coyotes, opossums, and snakes. Respondents’ tolerance for different species largely depended on their attitudes and emotions towards species, and their basic beliefs pertaining to wildlife and the relationships between humans and wildlife. We found some evidence that tolerance also depended on people’s prior interactions with wildlife, their beliefs that they can mitigate conflicts with wildlife, and their demographic characteristics.
Our results suggest that communication that improves urban residents’ attitudes towards wildlife and/or reinforces positive emotions towards wildlife may increase wildlife tolerance in urban areas.
Abstract: Mitigating human-wildlife conflicts by altering human behaviors is critical to urban wildlife conservation. We investigated what actions urban residents are willing to take to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts in metropolitan Atlanta, one of the fastest growing metropolises in the United States (~6.1 million people, 21,690 km2). In 2022, we administered online surveys to 1,006 residents of metropolitan Atlanta to determine which measures they had adopted to mitigate conflicts with urban wildlife, elicit their stated willingness to adopt additional conflict mitigation measures, and identify determinants of current or potential implementation of mitigation measures. Respondents most frequently reported watching urban wildlife (63.0% of respondents). The most frequently reported conflicts were wildlife raiding trash cans (14.8%) and damaging landscaping (20.8%). In total, 342 respondents (34.0%) had not taken any action to mitigate conflicts with wildlife. Respondents who had taken action to prevent conflicts most often secured their trash by keeping cans indoors or locking the lid of the can (28.7%), kept pets (20.5%) and pet food (20.3%) indoors, and took trash out on the morning of collection (19.6%). Respondents who had not adopted conflict mitigation measures stated that they were likely to secure their trash or keep pets and pet food indoors if they considered these measures to be necessary. Prior conflicts with wildlife influenced both respondents’ current efforts to mitigate conflicts with wildlife, and their stated willingness to adopt additional measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. Risk sensitivity to zoonotic pathogen transmission increased both actual and intended adoption of conflict mitigation measures. Respondents’ self-efficacy, beliefs about wildlife, and age also influenced their willingness to adopt conflict mitigation measures. Our results suggest that education and outreach about the need for conflict mitigation measures should highlight the importance and effectiveness of these measures in conserving wildlife, while also securing the wellbeing of humans and pets.
Abstract: Regulatory inconsistencies at different jurisdictional levels have contributed to the global expansion of the exotic pet trade, with resultant increases in the spread of invasive species and pathogens. Researchers have enumerated multiple limitations and environmental risks posed by international and national rules that govern the exotic pet trade, yet little attention has been focused on regulation of the exotic pet trade within national borders. We reviewed state-level regulations that apply to the trade of vertebrate animal taxa in the United States (US). Definitions and classifications for regulating different vertebrate taxa varied greatly across states, and the terms ‘pet’ and ‘companion animal’ were poorly defined and inconsistent across states. States implemented regulations that permit trade in exotic vertebrate pets that are banned from import into the US owing to public health and conservation concerns. Once species have been imported into the US, inconsistent internal regulations facilitate movement of animals that pose substantial invasion and disease risks. Violations of state laws were typically listed as misdemeanors, and the median fine for violating state wildlife trade laws was $1,000. Inconsistent and incomplete regulation of exotic vertebrate pets across state borders, in conjunction with limited penalties for violating regulations, has facilitated continued possession of exotic pets in states where these animals are banned. Based on our review of regulatory weaknesses, we conclude that transition to a federally enforced list of vertebrate species that may be traded as pets is needed, with all other vertebrate species banned from the exotic pet trade unless their potential invasion and disease risks have been assessed and demonstrated to be low or nonexistent.
