Framework and guidelines for implementing the proposed IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT)
Hawkins, C. L., Bacher, S., Essl, F., Hulme, P. E., Jeschke, J. M., Kühn, I., ... & Rabitsch, W. (2015). Framework and guidelines for implementing the proposed IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT). Diversity and Distributions, 21(11), 1360-1363. PDF.
Summary
With climate change, the ranges of many invasive species are likely to shift and new, potentially invasive species continue to be introduced. But, it is not feasible to monitor for or manage every new invasive species. Therefore, some form of prioritization to identify species with the greatest potential impact is needed. Hawkins et al. (2015) outline the methods for performing an Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) assessment. The paper provides a brief description, while the supplemental materials dive into the details. The EICAT approach involves reading and scoring all peer-reviewed papers assessing the ecological impacts of a given species. Impacts are scored on a standard 5-point scale from minimal concern to massive. Scoring is also performed across twelve types of ecological impact: competition, predation, hybridization, disease transmission, parasitism, poisoning/toxicity, bio-fouling, herbivory, chemical change, physical change, structural change, and facilitation of other invasive species. By adopting a consistent approach to impacts assessment, evaluations of species can be easily transferred and compared across political borders.
Take home points
With increasing numbers of novel invasive species likely to arrive to the northeast with climate change, some form of prioritization is needed for monitoring and management
Impacts assessments focus on identifying the worst-case scenario for a given species across twelve impacts criteria (e.g., competition, predation, herbivory), with impact scores ranging from 'minimal concern' to 'massive'.
By using a consistent method and scoring approach, impacts can be standardized and compared between new, potentially invasive arrivals to prioritize species for management.
Management implications
Impacts assessments for newly arrived and not-yet-arrived species are an important tool for informing monitoring and rapid management response.