TY - JOUR
T1 - Horizon scanning for prioritising invasive alien species with potential to threaten agriculture and biodiversity in Ghana
AU - Kenis, Marc
AU - Agboyi, Lakpo Koku
AU - Adu-Acheampong, Richard
AU - Ansong, Michael
AU - Arthur, Stephen
AU - Attipoe, Prudence Tonator
AU - Baba, Abdul Salam Mahamud
AU - Beseh, Patrick
AU - Clottey, Victor Attuquaye
AU - Combey, Rofela
AU - Dzomeku, Israel
AU - Eddy-Doh, Mary Akpe
AU - Fening, Ken Okwae
AU - Frimpong-Anin, Kofi
AU - Hevi, Walter
AU - Lekete-Lawson, Emmanuellah
AU - Nboyine, Jerry Asalma
AU - Ohene-Mensah, Godfried
AU - Oppong-Mensah, Birgitta
AU - Nuamah, Hannah Serwaa Akoto
AU - van der Puije, Grace
AU - Mulema, Joseph
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Horizon scanning, invasive arthropods, pathogens, pathway of introduction, pest prioritisation, pest risk analysis
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Invasive alien species (IAS) continue to shape the global landscape through their effects on biological diversity and agricultural productivity. The effects are particularly pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has seen the arrival of many IAS in recent years. This has been attributed to porous borders, weak cross border biosecurity, and inadequate capacity to limit or stop invasions. Prediction and early detection of IAS, as well as mechanisms of containment and eradication, are needed in the fight against this global threat. Horizon scanning is an approach that enables gathering of information on risk and impact that can support IAS management. A study was conducted in Ghana to establish two ranked lists of potential invasive alien plant pest species that could be harmful to agriculture, forestry, and the environment, and to rank them according to their potential threat. The ultimate objective was to enable prioritization of actions including pest risk analysis, prevention, surveillance and contingency plans. Prioritisation was carried out using an adapted version of horizon scanning and consensus methods developed for ranking IAS worldwide. Following a horizon scan of invasive alien species not yet officially present in Ghana, a total of 110 arthropod and 64 pathogenic species were assessed through a simplified pest risk assessment. Sixteen species, of which 14 were arthropods and two pathogens, had not been recorded on the African continent at the time of assessment. The species recorded in Africa included 19 arthropod and 46 pathogenic species which were already recorded in the neighbouring countries of Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. The majority of arthropod species were likely to arrive as contaminants on commodities, followed by a sizable number which were likely to arrive as stowaways, while some species were capable of long distance dispersal unaided. The main actions suggested for species that scored highly included full pest risk analyses and, for species recorded in neighbouring countries, surveys to determine their presence in Ghana were recommended.
AB - Invasive alien species (IAS) continue to shape the global landscape through their effects on biological diversity and agricultural productivity. The effects are particularly pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has seen the arrival of many IAS in recent years. This has been attributed to porous borders, weak cross border biosecurity, and inadequate capacity to limit or stop invasions. Prediction and early detection of IAS, as well as mechanisms of containment and eradication, are needed in the fight against this global threat. Horizon scanning is an approach that enables gathering of information on risk and impact that can support IAS management. A study was conducted in Ghana to establish two ranked lists of potential invasive alien plant pest species that could be harmful to agriculture, forestry, and the environment, and to rank them according to their potential threat. The ultimate objective was to enable prioritization of actions including pest risk analysis, prevention, surveillance and contingency plans. Prioritisation was carried out using an adapted version of horizon scanning and consensus methods developed for ranking IAS worldwide. Following a horizon scan of invasive alien species not yet officially present in Ghana, a total of 110 arthropod and 64 pathogenic species were assessed through a simplified pest risk assessment. Sixteen species, of which 14 were arthropods and two pathogens, had not been recorded on the African continent at the time of assessment. The species recorded in Africa included 19 arthropod and 46 pathogenic species which were already recorded in the neighbouring countries of Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. The majority of arthropod species were likely to arrive as contaminants on commodities, followed by a sizable number which were likely to arrive as stowaways, while some species were capable of long distance dispersal unaided. The main actions suggested for species that scored highly included full pest risk analyses and, for species recorded in neighbouring countries, surveys to determine their presence in Ghana were recommended.
KW - 2022
KW - Neobiota. all rights reserved.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85125110813&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3897/NEOBIOTA.71.72577
DO - 10.3897/NEOBIOTA.71.72577
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85125110813
SN - 1619-0033
VL - 71
SP - 129
EP - 148
JO - NeoBiota
JF - NeoBiota
ER -