Empowering Citizens to Inform Decision-Making as a Way Forward to Support Invasive Alien Species Policy

Abstract

Observations reported by citizens are crucial to the ability of scientists to inform policy on biodiversity. This is particularly relevant in the case of preventing and controlling biological invasions; that is, the introduction and spread of species outside their natural ranges as a consequence of human activity. Such invasions of natural ecosystems represent one of the main threats to biodiversity, economy, and human well-being globally, and policies on tackling this issue require a strong evidence base that increasingly is built on citizen science. Many citizens are motivated to collect data for their own interest, while presumably, few expect to make a major impact on policy. The needs of policy-makers are not always aligned with the approaches used by citizens to collect and share data. Therefore, how can we motivate citizen science for the needs of policy without compromising the enjoyment that citizens gain from collecting biodiversity observations? How can policy-makers support citizens to collect the data they need?Solutions require two components, a combination of social and technological innovation. Initiatives aimed at supporting decision-making processes should involve more societal actors and be built in a more collaborative or even co-created manner with citizens, scientists, and policy-makers. Technological solutions can be achieved through regular, rapid, and open publication of biodiversity data products. We envisage frequent publication of maps and indicators from rapidly mobilized data, with clear pointers to gaps in knowledge. Improving the links between data collection and delivery of policy-relevant information demonstrates -to citizens and their organizations -the need for their data, and gives them a clear view on the impact of their data on policy. This visibility also empowers stakeholder organizations in the policy development process.

Scientists' warning on invasive alien species

“…Also, many IAS that can affect biodiversity and ecosystems adversely do not fulfil the criteria for inclusion under government‐funded schemes. Engaging volunteers in surveillance and monitoring is a low‐cost, large‐scale, and long‐term option (Roy et al ., 2015; Pocock et al ., 2018; Groom et al ., 2019). There are many benefits of engaging the public in recording IAS; the collected data are valuable, and the process of raising awareness has important consequences for increasing acceptance of biosecurity.…”

“…Strengthening multidisciplinary approaches to invasion science (Simberloff et al ., 2013; Vaz et al ., 2017) is becoming a conditio sine qua non in the quest for comprehensive solutions to deal with biological invasions. Overcoming knowing–doing gaps (Hulme, 2014 a ; Foxcroft et al ., 2020), involving citizen science (Groom et al ., 2019), and raising awareness are making important contributions towards developing effective, operational, and clear mechanisms for much greater public and, hence, political engagement with the many complex and interacting dimensions of biological invasions. An under‐developed area is engaging indigenous perspectives on the threat of alien species to culture and livelihoods and how to manage them.…”

Horizon Scanning to Predict and Prioritize Invasive Alien Species With the Potential to Threaten Human Health and Economies on Cyprus

“…It is critical that risk communication is developed collaboratively to ensure maximum engagement from relevant stakeholders and communities. Collaborations among all stakeholders, ensuring shared goals and understanding between citizen scientists, policy makers and researchers, is critical to informing the development of IAS decision support tools and ultimately supporting the management of biological invasions (Vanderhoeven et al, 2015;Groom et al, 2019). † ORCID Jodey M. Peyton orcid.org/0000-0002-8313-6194; Angeliki F. Martinou orcid.org/0000-0003-2892-8583; Tim Adriaens orcid.org/0000-0001-7268-4200; Paraskevi K. Karachle orcid.org/0000-0002-6934-1773; Elena Tricarico orcid.org/0000-0002-7392-0794; Margarita Arianoutsou orcid.org/0000-0002-6743-9240; Sven Bacher orcid.org/0000-0001-5147-7165; Ioannis Bazos orcid.org/0000-0002-8498-7505; Giuseppe Brundu orcid.org/0000-0003-3076-4098; Iris Charalambidou orcid.org/0000-0003-3154-4169; Marika Galanidi orcid.org/0000-0003-3648-6666;…”

Global guidelines for the sustainable use of non-native trees to prevent tree invasions and mitigate their negative impacts

“…Visitors are also likely to be interested in the lifestyles, cultures, and social and political histories of local communities living near forest areas and making use of local tree species. Citizen science projects such as online apps for collecting data on distribution and impacts of INNTs (Groom et al 2017(Groom et al , 2019 should be utilized. Wider engagement and education regarding impacts can be through online sources or field guides (Rotherham and Lambert 2012;Veenvliet et al 2019).…”