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Background: Lists of non-native invasive species are needed for the development of strategies and plans to control them. Objectives: This paper describes the development of an initial inventory of non-native plants based on roadside surveys, and reviews the advantages and challenges associated with the methodology. Methods: We conducted surveys in 11 southern and eastern African countries and listed the presence of non-native plants at just under 107 000 roadside localities between 2008 and 2019. Localities were georeferenced and used to create a database of the distribution of 708 non-native plant species. Results: The survey effort varied between countries, with sampling taking place fairly comprehensively in smaller countries (e.g., Eswatini, Malawi and Rwanda were well covered, with >90% of half-degree grid cells reached), while coverage was acceptably high in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania (78-49%). In other countries, coverage was less. The greatest number of non-native species was recorded in Kenya (430), followed by Tanzania (341), Malawi (313) and Zambia (240). The most frequently recorded species was Lantana camara, with 5 566 records, followed by Senna siamea (3 526), Eucalyptus spp. (3 409), Ricinus communis (3 261) and Cascabela thevetia (3 156). Our inventories made a significant contribution to the regional database, constituting 58% of all plant observations in GBIF across the 11 countries in 2018. Several field guides have been produced based on these lists, and they provide a useful resource where none existed until recently. Conclusion: Alternative methods exist for the development of lists, including remote sensing and citizen science, and each has advantages and drawbacks. Roadside surveys are not comprehensive as they are limited to roadsides and subject to several potential biases because inconspicuous species are excluded, and observers have different levels of competence. We conclude nonetheless that roadside surveys, undertaken by experienced observers during the course of other duties that involve widespread travel, can provide a relatively inexpensive and very useful initial inventory, especially in lower-and middle-income countries where the capacity to conduct other survey options is lacking.
Cacti have been introduced to many parts of the world for food, fodder, and ornamental purposes. Many of these have become invasive, impacting negatively on human and animal health, biodiversity, and pasture production. Opuntia stricta is invasive in several countries in Africa. Studies in Laikipia County, Kenya, have shown that this invasive plant has significant negative impacts on livelihoods and biodiversity. We estimated the impact of current invasions on the value of fodder for livestock production in Laikipia and regionally in eastern Africa. Using an eco-climatic model, we extrapolated potential costs to sub-Saharan Africa on the assumption that O. stricta is likely to at least partially invade all areas that are climatically suitable. Areas invaded by O. stricta in Laikipia prevented access by livestock and wildlife to an average of 408 g/m2 of forage, currently valued at USD 0.25/m2. Based on this finding, we estimate that the value of forage inaccessible to livestock due to current O. stricta invasions is over USD 8.4 million and 246.6 million in Laikipia and in three eastern African countries respectively. A conservatively estimated area of 682,000 km2 (2.3
The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is one of the most damaging invasive fruit pests in the world. It infests a wide range of wild and crop host plants, impacting natural habitats and causing significant economic losses. Leptopilina japonica, a predominant larval parasitoid of D. suzukii in the native areas of the fly, is now spontaneously expanding into non-native areas of its fly host. This study documents the presence and genetic structure of L. japonica collected from various wild and cultivated fruits across 11 sites in France in 2023. Leptopilina japonica emerged from 15% of fruit samples and was strongly positively associated with D. suzukii, showing parasitism rates of up to 38.5%, notably in Lonicera fruits. Despite this, D. suzukii remained dominant, indicating a limited current biocontrol effect, while native parasitoids were nearly absent from samples. Molecular analyses using COI markers revealed 10 distinct haplotypes of the L. j. japonica subspecies in France that clustered into three groups, suggesting multiple introductions and/or migration routes into France from Asia, North America and neighbouring European countries. The lack of nuclear diversity measured from ITS2 markers suggests that the colonization is recent and that the populations experienced a bottleneck process. Nevertheless, a more extensive sampling combined with the use of additional genetic markers would be needed to better understand the origin and spread of L. japonica and its consequences on the equilibrium of Drosophila communities.
The Nagoya Protocol establishes an international framework for access and benefit-sharing including for microbial research. Yet many microbiologists have only a vague understanding of what the Nagoya Protocol requires and are unsure how to navigate its complexities, despite the fact that non-compliance can have significant legal consequences and far-reaching reputational and legal impacts. This paper discusses common misconceptions and practical challenges that microbiologists may encounter when complying with the Nagoya Protocol and a step-by-step guide on how to "do" the Nagoya Protocol. We present three case studies to showcase real-life experiences and provide best practice principles for access and benefit-sharing while fostering biodiversity conservation, equitable collaboration, and sustainable innovation.
The wide geographic distribution of microorganisms, combined with their vast taxonomic and functional diversity, make them indispensable reservoirs of genetic variation that sustain ecosystem resilience and fuel biotechnological innovation. However, to use this diversity, microbiologists must navigate a complex legal and regulatory landscape governed by multiple United Nations treaties and their respective access and benefit-sharing frameworks as well as regulatory frameworks specific to particular ecosystems, biosecurity, pathogens, and intellectual property. This complex regulatory web is also actively growing and changing, which makes it immensely challenging for a "regular" microbiologist to navigate. For policymakers and negotiators, it is also difficult to appreciate the full complexity that practitioners experience. This policy briefing provides a concise regulatory guide for practitioners and policymakers alike, summarized in a graphical overview, to provide more clarity and understanding for those at the edge of decision-making and practice.
