Description
Invasive aquatic plants (IAPs) are species that have been introduced, usually by human action, to areas outside of their native range, where they established and have become a threat to natural ecosystems. IAPs can have a widespread impact across all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In rural areas, invasion-related yield losses can affect the income security of small farmers (SDG1). Reduced crop yields and the consequent increase in prices undermines food security, disproportionally affecting poor rural communities (SDG2). IAPs are also linked to a variety of health issues. For instance, floating mats of water hyacinth – Pontederia crassipes – are a habitat for disease-spreading mosquitoes (SDG3). In many developing countries, weeding is still carried by hand and is often left to women and children, negatively impacting their health and education (SDG4 and SDG5). IAPs reduce water quality and alter the hydrology of water catchments, hindering clear water provision (SDG6) and hydroelectric power production (SDG7). Aquatic weeds create dense mats that block waterways, diminish fish stocks and damage infrastructure, with a severe impact on transportation and commerce (SDG8 and SDG9). IAPs alteration of freshwater ecosystems undermine their role in contrasting climate change (SDG13). Biological invasions are considered a major driver of biodiversity loss (SDG14 and SDG15 Current management methods consists mainly of manual, mechanical and chemical treatments, which are expensive, often have a negative impact on natural ecosystems, and require recurrent implementation in order to achieve substantial control. With my research project, I am exploring the use of biological control, a lower risk management method, for the management of IAPs. Biocontrol holds the potential to achieve long-term control of aquatic plant invasions, with low impact on natural communities and a higher cost-effectiveness compared to other methods. Furthermore, biological control promotes collaboration between stakeholders, companies and research institutes both at the national and international level (SDG17), creating job opportunities, endorsing scientific education and increasing public awareness.| Period | 27 May 2021 |
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| Event title | VUB Phd Day 2021: Global Challenges translated into Local and Research Projects at VUB |
| Event type | Conference |
| Conference number | 4 |
| Location | online via HOPIN, Belgium |