The trade in ornamental plants is recognized as a key pathway for the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (IAS) (Hinsley 2025, van Kleunen 2018). A prioritization analysis of pathways for the unintentional introduction of IAS in Belgium identified horticulture‑related pathways among the top ten priority routes, weighted by number of species, volume, and impact (National Scientific Secretariat on Invasive Alien Species - Belgium 2023). Engaging this sector in prevention efforts is critical to curb further introductions and mitigating ecological and economic impacts. While the EU Regulation N° 1143/2014 on IAS already bans the trade and breeding of 49 plant species, it is essential to develop a complementary voluntary approach addressing additional high-risk species and prevention measures such as biosecurity. Here, we present a co-development process of a sector-specific Code of Conduct (CoC) aimed at fostering responsible practices among stakeholders of the horticultural chain in Belgium, encompassing breeders, sellers and end-users – both professionals and citizens. The CoC was developed through participatory engagement with ornamental plant professionals, integrating scientific assessments of species in trade. A central element of the CoC is the establishment of two complementary species lists: one identifying species that will no longer be sold due to their invasive potential, and another highlighting species that require clear labelling to inform buyers about responsible management after purchase and encourage them not to plant these species close to natural areas. The development of these lists was first grounded in a preliminary scientific assessment of a priority list of species with invasive risk based on the establishment potential, invasiveness, and documented ecological impacts of species present in Belgian horticultural trade. The lists were then negotiated with the sector considering the economic importance of some species. Moreover, signatories of the CoC commit to several key actions: adopting recommended biosecurity guidelines to limit the unintentional spread of IAS, assisting in the identification of mislabelled or contaminated plants and identification of less invasive cultivars, and informing customers on responsible practices. Through these measures, the CoC operationalizes responsible decision-making throughout the ornamental plant supply chain and promotes awareness among consumers about their role in IAS management. By combining scientific evaluation, sector engagement, and practical guidance, this CoC represents a collaborative model for integrating human dimensions into IAS management. The approach highlights on one hand some of the challenges and limitations of co-created frameworks, specifically the need for compromises with professional sectors that take into account potential economic costs, and the limitations that a voluntary approach presents compared to legally binding regulations. On the other hand, these voluntary frameworks can enhance compliance, improve knowledge transfer, and ultimately reduce the introduction and spread of invasive species, while maintaining the sustainability and viability of the ornamental plant industry.
Abstract African swine fever (ASF) spreads among wild boar populations across Europe, but guidelines for defining the infectious buffer area (all reported cases plus a surrounding buffer where infected animals are likely to move) are largely uniform and rely on fixed‐radius buffers or standardized frameworks, without explicitly accounting for spatial heterogeneity in habitat or wild boar movement ecology. We aimed to define buffer sizes to be applied around infected wild boar carcasses to support the delineation of infectious buffer areas. We analysed GPS data from 527 wild boar across 46 European study sites using a two‐step approach combining first‐passage time and Cox proportional hazard models to estimate the risk that wild boar leaves areas of different sizes (i.e. spatial scales). We investigated how the risk of leaving varied over time and across environmental gradients and used our model to provide a flexible, science‐based tool to guide buffer sizing around infected wild boar carcasses, taking into account landscape composition and heterogeneity, rather than prescribing fixed values applicable in all situations. We found that the relationship between radius and risk of leaving is negative exponential and the risk of leaving increased over time, with a more rapid increase for smaller radii. Landscape homogeneity, terrain ruggedness and human pressure increased the risk of leaving, with stronger effects on small scales. Contrary to other predictors, the proportion of cropland exerted a strong effect on the risk of leaving at large spatial scales, especially at high levels of cropland. Across Europe, a buffer size of ~8 km is likely sufficient around most infection foci (i.e. infected wild boar carcasses, considering an infectious period of 14 days and a 5% probability that a wild boar leaves the area), but buffers up to 20 km may be necessary in certain areas to effectively limit the movement of wild boar. Synthesis and applications . Our results highlight the need for context‐specific adaptive infectious buffer area. 8 km buffers around infected carcasses can limit the risk of infected wild boar dispersal but can be reduced to 5 km in highly heterogeneous landscapes or areas of high human impact. Larger buffers may be required in agricultural landscapes. We provide spatially explicit outputs (buffer sizes) that can directly inform policy and wildlife disease response strategies. The approach can be adapted to any other infectious disease.
The plant bug genus Tinginotum Kirkaldy is reviewed from Vietnam. Four species are recognized, including a new species, Tinginotum linhi Kim, Chérot & Jung, sp. nov., and new distributional records of T. bilineatum and T. perlatum from Vietnam. Detailed diagnoses, descriptions, and a key to the Vietnamese species are provided. Male and female genitalia of T. bilineatum and female genitalia of T. knowlesi are described and illustrated for the first time. In addition to reviewing the Vietnamese fauna, distributional records from neighboring countries were also examined, leading to updated occurrence data for the genus. A particular focus is given to the potential broad-range distribution of T. perlatum, considering whether this pattern reflects a truly widespread species or unresolved conspecificity with taxa described from tropical regions. Furthermore, for several Southeast Asian species that were described long ago, the early 19th century, but remain poorly known, we provide photographs of the type specimens and summarize the essential key characters based on the images examined and the original descriptions. These notes are intended to encourage future comprehensive taxonomic research on the genus and its related taxa.
The recovery of the Eurasian beaver ( Castor fiber ) in Western Europe provides a prime model to study the genetic consequences of contrasting restoration paradigms. We conducted a large-scale genetic assessment across France, Belgium, and Luxembourg using mitochondrial DNA and 14 microsatellites to evaluate population structure and diversity. Our results identify a profound genetic dichotomy: a geographically expansive but genetically homogenous "French core" versus a diverse "northeastern contact zone." The French population, predominantly of the relict galliae lineage, exhibits significantly reduced allelic richness and heterozygosity, likely reflecting a severe historical bottleneck and subsequent founder effects. In contrast, northeastern populations show extensive admixture between multiple lineages ( albicus , fiber , galliae , lineage A), resulting in enhanced regional diversity. We also confirmed the absence of the invasive Castor canadensis , highlighting the efficacy of current transboundary biosecurity. High inbreeding risks in the French core support the hypothesis that long-term isolation may constrain adaptive potential. We argue that maintaining rigorous monitoring and fostering natural connectivity are critical to facilitate "genetic rescue" through admixture. These findings emphasize the importance of managing functional connectivity to ensure the evolutionary resilience of restored keystone species in fragmented landscapes.
Two new species of the plant bug tribe Mirini are described from Vietnam: Adelphocorisella tamdaoensis sp. nov. and Cheilocapsidea bachmaensis sp. nov. Detailed morphological descriptions for each species are presented. New records, four genera, and eight species of the subfamily Mirinae are additionally catalogued to the Vietnamese fauna.
