How do you find a cryptic invader hiding in thick mud?
#GuardIAS is using advanced eDNA barcoding and trialing "quicklime" treatments to protect Belgian wetlands from the African clawed frog.
Read the case study and factsheet: 🔗 guardias.eu/case-study-3...
#IAS #InvasiveSpecies #BioInvasions
I was invited by @natrevbiodiv.nature.com to write a short piece on one of my all time favorite papers. It cover the concept of sleeper populations; populations of non-native species that persist at low densities, but can get triggered by environmental change and become highly invasive!👽
First global synthesis of Centrarchidae invasions across taxonomy, pathways, impacts and risk. Centrarchids are globally valuable and invasive at the same time. This is the first review to quantify that duality at family level and to link distribution, pathways, traits and risk in one framework
Happy to see my work as one of the most cited #papers in Ecological Applications. We show that #eDNA can reveal species-specific impacts of non-native #bullfrogs on native #amphibians, alligning with global patterns emerging from a #meta-analysis!
doi.org/10.1002/eap....
How biological invasions are silently remodelling ecosystems:
our paper in @plosbiology.org about the extension of the #EICAT impact classification of biological invasions has now an outreach piece!
Read the (shorter and easier) version of the story here:
theconversation.com/how-biologic...
Agreed. Yet applied ecology roots in fundamental research. I think its an 'and' story, not one of 'or'. I know somebody studying how salivia travels from our mouth in the environment. Very fundamental stuff, untill the covid pandemic happened
A single marbled crayfish can start a population alone. 🦞
In the Netherlands, we're using eDNA to protect ponds from this rapid invader. At this stage, control is still possible!
Read more: guardias.eu/tracking-mar...
#GuardIAS #InvasiveSpecies #Netherlands #eDNA #Science
Registration is open for GuardIAS Summer School 2026, with a focus on e-DNA and Invasive Species! 🌊
Explore the program and meet the trainers: guardias.eu/welcome-to-t...
Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
#GuardIAS #InvasiveAlienSpecies #IAS #InvasiveSpecies #BioInvasions
Just published: a global synthesis of the ecological, economic, and socio-cultural impacts of #BiologicalInvasions, led by P. Haubrock. A timely framework for science, management, and policy in the Anthropocene.
👉 doi.org/10.1002/brv....
🧪🌐🌍 #bioinvasions #InvasiveSpecies
💥This is one of the most complete reviews on impacts of biological invasions, and was a shared effort of many experts globally.
Co-leading this was a huge honour!
📈📉 #Non-native species can generate negative, neutral, or positive effects, often at the same time and in different domains.
Effective management therefore requires integrated, transparent, and #context-aware impact assessments, not one-size-fits-all labels.
⚙️ Impacts emerge through #mechanisms (e.g. #competition, #predation, #hybridization, ecosystem engineering) but manifest at different biological levels—from individuals to ecosystems.
Confusing mechanisms with consequences is a common source of error in impact studies.
🌐 Interest in invasion impacts has exploded since the 1980s—but growth in publications has not resolved core problems.
Despite more data, comparability, context-dependence, and bias remain major obstacles to drawing robust conclusions across systems.
💡 Invasion #impacts extend far beyond ecology.
They span #ecological, #economic, and #socio-cultural domains, often simultaneously—yet are shaped by data gaps, confounding factors, scale, and stakeholder values.
Our framework shows why “impact” is never a single, simple number.
🚨 New #OA review in Biological Reviews: The impacts of biological invasions 🚨
With researchers across the globe, we synthesize nearly a century of evidence across taxa and ecosystems to clarify what #invasion #impacts are, how they arise, and why they are hard to assess.
doi.org/10.1002/brv....
Invasion impacts extend far beyond ecology.
They span #ecological, #economic, and #socio-cultural domains, often simultaneously—yet are shaped by data gaps, confounding factors, scale, and stakeholder values.
Our framework shows why “impact” is never a single, simple number.
Huge milestone (again) 😁. Congrats Franck, well-deserved! 👽
Hey, I succesfully defended my #PhD! 🐸👽
I have been using #eDNA and #popgen to study the distribution, spread, and impact of American #bullfrogs in Flanders. Grateful to my promotors and everyone that has supported me.
Now, the next chaper awaits as @inbo.be postdoc: @guardias.bsky.social
But then the question becomes: what do we, as a scientific community, value most: an objective review system where outcome can not be influenced by prior knowledge on author identity, or the ability to post an unreviewed, and therefore unfinished, work?
I think double (and even triple) blind review should be the standard. I dont know why a reviewer should know the identity of the authors?
Authors uploading preprints choose to reveal their identity. By abolishing double blind review, you dont leave the choice to the authors, which is problematic.
Fresh insights at #GuardIAS Conference from @teuneverts.bsky.social : pooled #eDNA sampling is proving a smart, cost-efficient way to track the northernmost Xenopus laevis invasion. With 100+ km² already occupied, this approach delivers fast, actionable intelligence for cross-border management.
Back from my 2nd time attending the #InvaPact workshops, aiming to assess ecological #impacts of biological #invasions globally. Its incredible how well these workshops are organized, and the intended impacts they will have on scientific literature.
#grateful
#newfriends
#inspired
#motivated
Pooled eDNA sampling effectively maps the northernmost African clawed frog invasion, enabling fast, cost-efficient cross-border detection and management. Coordinated action is required along the French-Belgian border.
🔗 doi.org/10.3897/neob...
@teuneverts.bsky.social @inbo.be
Explore the role of eDNA in tackling the marbled crayfish, one of Europe’s most concerning freshwater invaders, as part of the #GuardIAS project 👇
#InvasiveSpecies #Biosecurity
www.alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-D...
great work from @teuneverts.bsky.social @inbo.be belgian #xenopus invasion is published still great needs for cross border collaboration @neobiota.pensoft.net @neobiota.bsky.social neobiota.pensoft.net/article/1503...
Day 2 of the #GuardIAS meeting was all about our 11 case studies!
Great to see the nitty-gritty of using eDNA & drones for detection, modelling population spread, and launching new citizen science projects.
Also got a preview of upcoming online events from at @invasivesnet.bsky.social.
Teun Everts @inbo.be showcasing the #xenopuslaevis @guardias.bsky.social case study rapid response effectiveness can be measured w #eDNA amazing conservation work
Wrap on Day 1 of the GuardIAS project meeting in Thessaloniki! 🇬🇷
A jam-packed day of collaboration, covering everything from AI & eDNA for tracking invasive species to boosting citizen science.
Ready for Day 2!
#GuardIAS #InvasiveSpecies
