Date of Award

2014

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.Sc.

Department

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research

Keywords

Biological sciences, Eradication, Management, Meta-analysis, Rapid response, Statistical analysis, Suppression

Supervisor

MacIsaac, Hugh J.

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

Alien invasive species (AIS) have received much attention for their harmful effects on health, ecology and the economy. Although the best approach is prevention of introductions, it is imperative that rapid response (RR) countermeasures be available, should prevention fail. I analyzed 127 cases involving RR to AIS in aquatic systems. Results indicated the rate of eradication success was greater, and slightly higher, for plant versus animal AIS, and when chemical versus mechanical methods were used, respectively, but was unaffected by habitat size. Suppression of AIS was most successful in small habitats and with chemical versus mechanical methods, but was unaffected by taxonomy (plant or animal). Outcome was not affected by the population size, project duration, ecosystem (marine or freshwater), or number (single or multiple) of methods used. Managers should expect that different factors will affect success depending on whether intervention aims for complete elimination or population reduction of AIS.

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