ost action “alien hallenge” · anja amtoft-wynns) 1150 horizon scanning of invertebrate...
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COST Action “Alien Challenge”
Enhancing understanding of invasive alien pathogens
Date: 18-19 March 2015
Venue: Sedgemoor Room, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, UK
Horizon-scanning, the systematic examination of future potential threats and opportunities, leading to
prioritisation of invasive alien species (IAS) threats is seen as an essential component of IAS management.
Recently a consensus approach was used to determine IAS that were likely to arrive, establish and impact
on native biodiversity in Great Britain within the next ten years (Roy et al. 2014). Pathogens were
excluded from this approach.
There is a significant gap in our knowledge in relation to the risks posed to biodiversity by microorganisms
introduced by invasive terrestrial and aquatic organisms across Europe. We propose to use horizon
scanning methods to:
Undertake a cross-cutting review of pathogen life histories to enhance understanding of threats,
methods and knowledge gaps within natural and semi-natural systems
Derive a list of invasive alien pathogens that will impact on biodiversity in the EU or at least
identify “pathogens of concern” and highlight knowledge gaps.
We would target this specifically at pathogens affecting plants and animals in natural and semi-natural
systems, and would exclude cropping systems, livestock production and those pathogens that may affect
human health though we would seek to learn from the horizon scanning methods employed in these
sectors given the parallels in arrival, establishment and spread processes. The outcome will be a high
impact publication.
Small subgroups will consider diseases and mechanisms of disease transmission associated with specific
taxonomic groups or environments:
Terrestrial Invertebrates – led by: Jørgen Eilenberg and Helen Hesketh
Aquatic - led by: Grant Stentiford
Plants - led by: Alberto Santini and Dan Chapman
Wildlife diseases - led by: Riccardo Scalera
Vectors of disease - led by: Beth Purse
Glossary
Please see the following as guidance to terms
http://www.oie.int/index.php?id=169&L=0&htmfile=glossaire.htm#terme_infection
http://www.oie.int/en/international-standard-setting/aquatic-code/access-online/
Meeting rooms for group sessions:
Group Room Group Room
Plant Pathogens Sedgemoor Wildlife Diseases Pixie Mead
Vectors Sedgemoor Invertebrates Chimney Meadows
Aquatic Sedgemoor Core Group Meeting Kennet Room
Attendees and subgroup allocation
First Name Last Name Group Core Group Country
Helen Roy Chair x United Kingdom
Katharine Turvey Grant holder & WG3 x United Kingdom
Colin Harrower Core group & WG4 x United Kingdom
Ana Cristina Cardoso WG1 x Italy
Olaf Booy Risk assessment United Kingdom
Karolina Bacela-Spychalska Aquatic Poland
Jamie Bojko Aquatic United Kingdom
Alison Dunn Aquatic United Kingdom
Grant Stentiford Aquatic United Kingdom
Ed Peeler Aquatic United Kingdom
Elena Tricarico Aquatic & core group x Italy
Jørgen Eilenberg Invertebrate pathogens Denmark
Helen Hesketh Invertebrate pathogens United Kingdom
Anja Amtoft Wynns Invertebrate pathogens Denmark
Regina Kleespies Invertebrate pathogens Germany
Monique Van Oers Invertebrate pathogens Netherlands
Sandra Viglášová Invertebrate pathogens Slovakia
Alan Stewart Invertebrate pathogens United Kingdom
Alain Roques Invertebrates & core group x France
Alberto Santini Plant pathogens Italy
Andrea Vannini Plant pathogens Italy
Stephen Woodward Plant pathogens United Kingdom
Montserrat Vila Plant pathogens & core group x Spain
Quentin Groom Plant pathogens & core group x Belgium
Jan Pergl Plant pathogens & core group x Czech Republic
Paul Bessell Vectors United Kingdom
Bethan Purse Vectors United Kingdom
Francis Schaffner Vectors Switzerland
Stefan Schindler Vectors Austria
Kelly Martinou Vectors Cyprus
Arjan Stroo Vectors Netherlands
Wojciech Solarz Wildlife diseases Poland
Katie Beckmann Wildlife diseases United Kingdom
Benedikt Schmidt Wildlife diseases Switzerland
Jonathan Smith Wildlife diseases United Kingdom
Tim Adriaens Wildlife diseases Belgium
Wolfgang Rabitsch Wildlife diseases Austria
Riccardo Scalera Wildlife diseases & core group x Italy
Day 1: Pathogen life histories to enhance understanding of threats, methods and
knowledge gaps within natural and semi-natural systems
Chair: Helen Roy
0815 Registration and coffee
0900 Welcome (Mark Bailey – CEH Director)
0915 Keynote lecture: “Parasites and invasions; interactions, impacts and opportunities for control”
(Alison Dunn)
0940 Overview of horizon scanning for IAS (Helen Roy)
0955 Assessing biosecurity risk through horizon scanning (Ed Peeler)
1010 Coffee
1030 Contributions models to horizon scanning (Beth Purse and Dan Chapman)
1040 Aquatic - subgroup overview: “Pathogen threats in traded and non-traded aquatic hosts” (Grant
Stentiford)
1100 Pathogen in a traded host (VHSV in salmonids) (Ed Peeler) 1105 Pathogen in a non-traded host (Microsporidia in D. villosus) (Karolina Bacela-Spychalska) 1110 Approaches to assess unknown pathogen profile in non-native hosts/environmental matrices (TBC) 1115 Discussion
1120 Terrestrial invertebrates - subgroup overview: “Potential pathogen threats in terrestrial invertebrate
hosts” (Helen Hesketh and Jørgen Eilenberg)
1140 How viruses applied in insect biocontrol might affect biodiversity (Monique van Oers) 1145 The potential for pathogen spillover from managed bees to wild bees (Helen Hesketh on behalf of Anja Amtoft-Wynns) 1150 Horizon scanning of invertebrate pathogens (Helen Hesketh on behalf of Regina Kleespies) 1155 Discussion
1200 Plants – subgroup overview: “Invasive plant pathogens: how to know the unknown” (Alberto
Santini)
1220 Sentinel trees as a novel method for identification of potential invaders (Andrea Vannini) 1225 NGS a useful tool for identifying alien pathogens: the case of migrating birds (Steve Woodward) 1230 Horizon scanning of potential invasive plants in Spain (Montse Vila) 1235 Discussion
1240 Lunch
1330 Wildlife diseases – subgroup overview: “IAS and wildlife diseases. On overview of the impact on
vertebrates” (Riccardo Scalera)
1350 Risk of Introduction of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) (Jonathan Smith) 1355 The amphibian-killing fungus (Benedikt Schmidt) 1400 Asiatic nematode Ashworthius sidemi is nailing the European bison’s coffin in Poland (Wojtek Solarz) 1405 'Highly pathogenic' avian influenza viruses: an unpredictable threat to human, animal and ecosystem health (Katie Beckmann) 1420 Discussion
1430 Vectors of disease – subgroup overview: “Vector-borne diseases” (Beth Purse)
1437 Horizon scanning for invasive mosquitoes in Europe and links to mosquito-borne disease (Francis Schaffner) 1444 Horizon scanning for vector-borne livestock diseases in Scotland / UK (Paul Bessell) 1451 Talk Title TBC (Arjan Stroo) 1500 Discussion
1510 Coffee
1520 Breakout groups for each subgroup
1540 Group discussion – can we achieve consensus on unifying frameworks for “cross-cutting review of
pathogen life histories to enhance understanding of threats, methods and knowledge gaps within natural
and semi-natural systems“?
Document and prioritise:
Barriers to understanding
Factors in determining arrival, establishment and spread
Please list within excel spreadsheet.
1630 Core group meeting (COST Action core group members only)
1630 Option to continue group discussion in absence of core group!
1815 Close of Day 1
1900 Dinner - Old Post Office, Wallingford
Day 2: Pathogen life histories to enhance understanding of threats, methods and
knowledge gaps within natural and semi-natural systems (continued)
0845 Registration
Chair: Helen Roy
0900 Group discussion – can we achieve consensus on unifying frameworks for “cross-cutting review of
pathogen life histories to enhance understanding of threats, methods and knowledge gaps within natural
and semi-natural systems“?
Document and prioritise within subgroup:
Barriers to understanding
Factors in determining arrival, establishment and spread
Please list within excel spreadsheet.
0930 Consensus summary including plans for publication and associated actions
List of invasive alien pathogens that will impact on biodiversity in the EU or at
least identify “pathogens of concern”
1000 Introduction (Helen Roy)
1010 Breakout groups for each subgroup to discuss “list of invasive alien pathogens that will impact on
biodiversity in the EU or at least identify “pathogens of concern” and highlight knowledge gaps”
(Coffee available)
1130 Pathogens of concern - Terrestrial invertebrates – Jørgen Eilenberg and Helen Hesketh
1145 Pathogens of concern – Aquatic – Grant Stentiford
1200 Pathogens of concern - Plants – Alberto Santini
1215 Pathogens of concern - Wildlife diseases – Riccardo Scalera
1230 Pathogens of concern - Vectors of disease - Beth Purse
1245 Lunch
1345 Group discussion
1415 Consensus on “list of invasive alien pathogens that will impact on biodiversity in the EU or at least
identify “pathogens of concern” and highlight knowledge gaps”
(Coffee available from 1500)
1545 Summary of meeting and actions
1600 Close
Tim Adriaens
Conservation ecologist/ workshop participant - subgroup wildlife disease
Researcher at Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Brussels, Belgium
I am a conservation ecologist at INBO, a Flemish government institution. At the Department of Management and Sustainable Use, research group on wildlife management, I am the focal point for invasive alien species (IAS) and coordinate IAS activities throughout the scientific community. I provide expertise and support to the government and the Agency for Nature and Forest with regards to invasive species management and biodiversity. My current invasion biology topics include control of invasive amphibians and exotic geese populations, invasive weeds and shrubs, ruddy duck eradication, aquatic invasive species, exotic insects used for biological control, invasive species recording through citizen science etc. I also perform and review risk assessments for selected invasive species. I was very active in the European-funded projects Invexo (www.invexo.eu) and RINSE (www.rinse-europe.eu) on invasive species management, research and policy. I am familiar with amphibian disease like Bd, Bt, Ranavirus. I have emerging knowledge on wildlife diseases and the role of IAS. I chair the Belgian Wildlife Disease symposium (www.bwds.be) since 2011 and am currently involved in a research proposal on risk assessment of emerging infectious diseases in Belgium including borreliosis and echinococcosis.
Dr Karolina Bacela-Spychalska
Ecologist / member of the Aquatic subgroup
Department of Invertebrate Zoology & Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, Poland
My main scientific interests are biology and ecology of invasive aquatic species,
mainly amphipods. Recently my research focus on the role of parasites, mainly
microsporidians, in their host invasion process. I am an expert within the project
Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe (DAISIE). I was a researcher in
several scientific grants funded by Polish and French governments dedicated to identification of parasites infecting
invasive amphipods that could pose the threat to local invertebrate communities as well as to detection of the
impact of parasites on their invasive host. Currently I am a leader of a project focused on the parasite mediation of
the interspecific interactions within invasive community by including the parasite when testing invasional
meltdown hypothesis.
Katie Beckmann
Wildlife veterinarian; Wildlife Diseases subgroup
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Slimbridge, Gloucestershire (UK)
[email protected] My experience and research interests lie in wildlife health, particularly in the context of
biodiversity conservation. I have worked as a Veterinary and Wildlife Health Officer at the
WWT since 2012, and was a wildlife veterinarian at the Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London (ZSL),
from 2008–2012 and 2013–2014, where I worked on disease surveillance projects for British wildlife species and
carried out disease risk analysis and health management for Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme and
for wildlife conservation NGOs. Through my work at both WWT and ZSL I have been a member of the GB Wildlife
Disease Surveillance Partnership, which brings together a network of agencies and NGOs conducting wildlife
disease surveillance in the UK. I recently started a part-time PhD at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London,
WWT and ZSL, through which I plan to use case studies (for the common crane Grus grus and corncrake Crex crex)
to review disease risk analyses and health management planning for wildlife reintroduction projects.
Dr. Paul Bessell
Epidemiologist; Horizon scanning for the Scottish Government’s Centre for Expertise on
Animal Disease Outbreaks (EPIC)
Roslin Insitute, Ednburgh, UK
My work at the Roslin Institute has focussed on providing the Scottish Government with
scientific advice on evaluating the risks of upcoming disease threats. This involves working with and coordinating
work with colleagues in UK and European institutions on disease threats that are emerging in Europe and
sometimes further afield. Much of the research has focussed on vector borne diseases, principally evaluating the
potential for Schmallenberg virus and Bluetongue virus to spread in Scotland and options for vaccination.
Additional work has looked at risks of introduction of West Nile virus and HPAI by migrating birds.
Dr Alison Dunn
Reader in Evolutionary Ecology, University of Leeds. Keynote speaker.
University of Leeds, UK and Yorkshire Dales Environment Network, UK
Parasites as key players in biological invasions and community structure: I study the
behavioural, ecological and evolutionary interactions of parasites and their host (and
non-host) organisms. Invasions and disease emergence are strongly interlinked: there are many parallels between
the processes of invasion and emergence, and one of the risks of invasion to native wildlife is the spread of new
diseases. Focusing on aquatic (and more recently terrestrial) ecosystems my group explores the role of parasites
in biological invasions and the outcome for community structure and function.
Yorkshire Dales Environment Network: evidence based environmental management. YDEN is a network of >25
partners involved in environment management. In the context of biological invasions, we have developed
workshops to exchange good practice in biosecurity and are currently developing an INNS strategy for the region.
Biosecurity; the first line of protection against invasive alien species and infectious diseases. In collaboration with
CEFAS we are exploring stakeholder practice and engagement with biosecurity and are testing and refining best
practice for biosecurity for invasive species and diseases. Our work has informed the guidance and training
provided by the GB Non Native Species Secretariat NSS and biosecurity practice within the Environment Agency.
Quentin Groom
Plant pathogens & core group
Botanic Garden Meise
I have a broad interest in natural history, but particularly botany. I’m particularly
interested in the spread of invasive species by mankind and how this is mediated by trade and habitat change. I
currently work at the Botanic Garden Meise, Belgium where I am involved in projects at the intersection of
information technology and botany. However, I have also published on plant gall causing organisms and am
studying non-native geese behaviour at the garden.
Over the past two years I have been working as work package leader for the pro-iBiosphere project. A major part
of this project was piloting methods for marking-up of legacy literature and investigating the use of legacy
literature as a source of biogeographic information. Also, as part of the EU BON project (www.eubon.eu), and in
collaboration with Pensoft, I have republishing the Flora of Northumberland and Durham, 1838, by N.J. Winch. This
is part of a larger project on biodiversity change in north-east England that I conduct in my free time. Much of his
research work has concentrated on biogeographic change and the methods to detect it, including a study on the
environmental drivers of plant migration. I am particularly interested in exploring novel methods for the analysis of
observational data such as kriging and other spatial statistics.
My bibliography can be seen on Impactstory https://impactstory.org/QuentinGroom/products/articles
Dr. Colin Harrower
Computational Ecologist Centre for Ecology & Hydrology [email protected] I am a member of the Biological Records Centre (BRC), part of the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, which is the UK focus for terrestrial and freshwater species recording. My main role within BRC is provide analytical & database skills & support. In regards to non-native species I work with Helen Roy on the GB Non-Native Species Information Portal (GB-NNSIP) and Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe (DAISIE) database.
Dr. Helen Hesketh
Invertebrate Pathologist; Subgroup leader for Terrestrial InvertebratesCentre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford (UK)
My research interests are in the biological control of invertebrate pests and the ecology of insect pathogens, especially considering entomopathogenic viruses and fungi. I am particularly interested in how co-infections of pathogens (and other toxins) affect disease severity and transmission in insect populations and the implications this has both for sustainable pest control and as a regulating factor in populations of beneficial insects. I use mixed pathogen studies in model invertebrate host-pathogen systems to understand ecological mechanisms and predict infection in different mixed infection scenarios. Emergent parasites and pathogens are a major threat to biodiversity and much of my current work will focus on the effects of pathogens on pollinator health to improve our understanding of the ecological mechanisms that underpin the role that microbial pathogens play in wild pollinator dynamics. I am currently Chair elect in the Society for Invertebrate Pathology for the Division of Beneficial Invertebrates and was previously the Chair of the Fungus Division.
Dr. Regina G. Kleespies
Insect pathologist; Attendee of the COST Action workshop in the group “Invertebrate pathogens”
Julius Kühn-Institut, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Biological Control, Germany
[email protected] Broad interest on diagnosis, histo and cytopathology of arthropod diseases of all kind of pathogens (virus, bacteria, fungi, protists). Development of light and electron microscope techniques for studies of selected pathogens with regard to biological control of pest insects, especially invasive species. Working on prognosis of natural infection rates with different microbial disease agents and their effects on gradations of pest insects in agriculture and forestry. The diagnostic engagement is also focused on sanitary supervision of insect cultures, also particularly of beneficials, as a basis for the development of biological and integrated plant protection measures. Trustee during the last four years in the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, one of the founders of the Division of Beneficial Invertebrates, and previously Chair of the Microsporidia Division.
Dr Edmund Peeler
Epidemiologist / aquatic group member
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, UK
I am the Aquatic Pests and Pathogens group at Cefas and provide advice on aquatic animal health to the UK government (Defra). The group includes the Fish Health Inspectorate which has responsibility for implementing aquatic animal health regulation (e.g control of listed diseases). My research has focused on the application of epidemiology and risk analysis to support the development of aquatic animal health policy. I have led risk assessment projects for exotic pathogen introduction into the UK to support the development of national biosecurity. My work has involved assessment of sanitary measures in the context of international trade agreements and aquatic animal health standards. In addition I have undertaken research into the processes and drivers for disease emergence in aquatic animals.
Dr Beth Purse
Disease ecologist: Subgroup leader for vector-borne diseases
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford (UK)
My research focuses on understanding the impacts of environmental changes and
heterogeneity on the arrival, establishment and spread of pest and pathogen species,
particularly vector-borne diseases, with the aim of providing tools for risk mitigation. I
use ecological modelling techniques and large scale environmental and ecological datasets as well as empirical
field studies. Current focal systems include emerging insect-borne diseases like bluetongue (EU FP7 projects
VMERGE (www.vmerge.eu/) and EDENext (www.edenext.eu/) - Biology and control of vector-borne infections in
Europe; CIDLID project: Monitoring and Intervention Strategies for BT Virus Epidemics in Rural India
(www.IBVNet.com)), and Leishmaniasis (EU FP7 ROBIN project) as well as Phytophthora tree pathogens that
threaten forests and heathlands and are based both Europe and the tropics.
Dr Wolfgang Rabitsch
Entomologist, Ecologist
Environment Agency Austria, Vienna (AT)
I work in the blurry science-policy-interface on different aspects of biodiversity and
nature conservation, on invasive alien species, conservation biogeography, and
climate change and (unfortunately) only rarely do original research. I have contributed
to several projects and initiatives such as DAISIE, EASIN, SEBI2010, GBO4, Habitat Directive, APCC, National
Biodiversity Strategy 2020+). I have a broad interest in risk assessment methodologies, monitoring of biodiversity
data, red lists and the biodiversity crisis. I am particularly fond of Heteroptera. Within an on-going project we
currently undertake a systematic review of the human health impacts of alien vector species.
For a full list of references see http://homepage.univie.ac.at/wolfgang.rabitsch/refs.html
Dr. Helen Roy
Ecologist; Chair of the COST Action and workshop convenor
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford (UK)
[email protected] I lead zoological research within the UK Biological Records Centre (part of the NERC
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology), which is the UK focus for terrestrial and freshwater
species recording. I use the large-scale and long-term datasets on the distribution and abundance of species,
compiled by volunteers in collaboration with the Biological Records Centre, to understand and predict the effects
of environmental change on biodiversity. The current focus of my research is predicting the biological impact of
invasive alien species (IAS). I am responsible for maintenance and further development of the Delivering Alien
Invasive Species Inventories for Europe (DAISIE) web database, and the GB-Non-Native Species Information Portal
(GB-NNSIP). I was the project leader for the recently completed "Invasive alien species - framework for the
identification of invasive alien species of EU concern" (ENV.B.2/ETU/2013/0026). Of particular relevance to this
workshop, I recently led a horizon scanning consensus workshop, on behalf of Defra, to derive a list of IAS
predicted to arrive, establish and threaten biodiversity within GB and am currently leading an EC-funded project
“IAS – Prioritising prevention efforts through horizon scanning”. I have a passion for parasites and so I am
delighted to be convening this workshop on behalf of the COST Action “ALIEN Challenge”.
Dr. Alberto Santini
Forest pathologist, plant pathogens sub-group co-leader
Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection – C.N.R. (Italy)
My main interests are on patterns and determinants of invasion by alien forest
pathogens in Europe; early detection of invasive pathogens; impact of climate
change on pathogens invasion processes. I am responsible for the maintenance of the FORTHREATS database of
European invasive forest pathogens. Other interests are on conservation of genetic resources of endangered
species, mainly focus on elm and plane. Studies on adaptive characters connected with resistance to pathogens.
Genetic studies on trees marginal endangered populations.
Riccardo Scalera
Zoologist/Communication leader of the COST Action and workshop convener of
subgroup of wildlife diseases
IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG), Rome, Italy
[email protected], http://riccardoscalera.blogspot.it
I am a naturalist with over 16 years of professional experience in the field of
conservation biology, wildlife management and vertebrate ecology, and a proficient expertise on European
environmental policy and legislation, particularly in the field of nature protection and biodiversity (e.g. Habitats
and Birds directives), sustainable exploitation of natural resources (e.g. in relation to the CITES and related Wildlife
Trade regulations, etc.) and some relevant financial programmes (LIFE, Horizon 2020). I have been working for
several public institutions and private companies - at both the national and international level (i.e. including the
European Commission, the EEA, the REA, the JRC, the Council of Europe, IUCN International, etc). In relation to the
invasive alien species issue, I am programme officer of the IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group and have
participated actively in a number of regional and global initiatives focusing on both research and networking,
particularly on the science-policy interface, e.g. by actively contributing to the development of key policy
documents adopted at both the EU and international level. In relation to the objectives of the workshop, I am very
interested about the actual and potential impact of invasive alien species as agents or vectors of pathogens and
diseases affecting wildlife, including at the human-livestock/wildlife interface, and relevant pathways. The
outcome of the workshop could be useful to stimulate further research and debate and possibly provide guidance
to the authorities and other stakeholders on how to deal with this threat within the framework of the relevant
legislation, e.g. in relation to the new EU regulation on invasive alien species recently adopted.
Dr Francis Schaffner
Medical and veterinary entomologist; Member of Vectors group
Avia-GIS, Zoersel (Belgium)
My professional activities are focusing first on mosquitoes, but also on biting midges,
sand flies, and biting flies. I devoted the first part of my career to sustainable mosquito
control and to mosquito taxonomy in France. From 2007 to 2013, I was working at the
University of Zurich, Switzerland, Institute of Parasitology, developing research and surveillance programmes of
insect vectors (e.g. EU PF7 project EDENext). I’m still attached to that Swiss institute as associate researcher.
Currently I work for Avia-GIS, a Belgian consultancy company, mainly developing tools for surveying vectors, and
supporting international bodies (ECDC, EFSA, WHO) and national authorities do develop risk assessment plans for
vector-borne disease and networking (e.g. VBORNET/VectorNet). I devote much time to invasive mosquitoes, i.e.
in surveillance, control, and evaluation of vector capabilities, and in supporting risk assessment and management
for mosquito-borne diseases in EU and associate countries and territories. Thus I’m pleased to contribute to any
project dealing with IAS and to investigate risk of pathogen transmission in Europe.
Dr. Stefan Schindler
Ecologist
Environment Agency Austria (Austria)
My research focuses on landscape, forest and agro ecology as well as on biodiversity pattern and biodiversity conservation. More recently, I started to work about invasive alien species. I am experienced in literature review methodologies and meta-analyses, in ecological modelling techniques and large scale environmental and ecological datasets as well as in empirical field studies. I am currently leading an Austrian research project (Aliens_Health - Austrian Climate and Energy Fund ACRP: KR13AC6K11141) on alien species impacts on public health in Europe that includes a systematic review and the development of risk mitigation strategies. For this reason, I am very interested in alien human pathogens and their vector species, particularly, if these vector species are alien to Europe.
Dr. Benedikt Schmidt
Conservation biologist; Wildlife diseases
karch (Swiss Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Programme), Neuchâtel, and Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich (Switzerland)
I am a conservation biologist working for karch, the Swiss Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Programme. I am an independent research group leader at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies of the University of Zurich. The main goal of my research is to contribute to evidence-based conservation and to bridge the gap between science and practice. My main research interests are the spatial and temporal dynamics of amphibian populations and metapopulations and disease ecology.
Jonathan Smith
Horizon Scanning; Wildlife Disease subgroup
Animal and Plant Health Agency (UK)
I work in the International Disease Monitoring team at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), a Defra Agency.
We carry out daily monitoring and risk assessment of both official reports and grey literature for animal health
threats (both livestock and wildlife) to the UK. The team produces both short rapid risk assessments (Preliminary
Outbreak Assessments) and responds to commissions for longer qualitative risk assessments concerning changing
policy requirements, to inform both government and industry / stakeholders of the current disease risk to the UK.
Our risk assessments are concerned with new, emerging diseases and exotic notifiable disease which threaten UK
livestock and biodiversity. All the documents are made publicly available on the Gov.UK website.
Dr. Wojciech Solarz
Invasion biologist; Subgroup Wildlife diseases
Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków (PL)
mailto:[email protected]
My early career (both as a human being and a scientist) was totally devoted to ornithology. Alien species were then accidentally introduced into my life and turned out to be so invasive that they severely outcompeted birds, almost leading to their complete extinction from my scientific perspective. Birds managed to survive only thanks to hybridisation between biological invasions and ornithology, resulting in some of them being alien. I was involved in a number of national and international scientific projects related to biological invasions, including the Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe (DAISIE), Assessing LArge scale Risks for biodiversity with tested Methods (ALARM) and ParrotNet. I am particularly interested in putting science into practice. I was involved in development of national and international laws, strategies and codes of conduct on alien species and I am the manager of Alien Species in Poland portal. I am also a member of the State Council for Nature Conservation, where I am responsible for biological invasion issues. As a delegate of the Ministry of Environment, I am also involved in the alien species-related work of the European Commission, Convention on Biological Diversity, Bern Convention and International Plant Protection Convention.
Dr Grant D. Stentiford
Team Leader for Pathology and Molecular Systematics, Director of the European Union
Reference Laboratory for Crustacean Diseases
COST Action Aquatic theme leader
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), United Kingdom
Email address: [email protected]
I am an aquatic animal pathologist with specialism in diseases of invertebrates (particularly
crustaceans). My team focuses on the identification and taxonomy of known and emergent pathogens in farmed,
fished and traded mollusc, crustacean and fish taxa. We apply histological, ultrastructural and molecular methods
to do so. In addition, we are attempting to integrate emerging technologies (e.g. high throughput sequencing) to
understand pathogen diversity in environmental matrices (e.g. ‘eDNA) and particularly, in advising on how such
technologies may have utility in informing risk assessment/policy for introduction and establishment of such
pathogens in native hosts. Other projects within my team focus specifically on pathogens (or lack of them) in
invasive populations of aquatic invertebrates (e.g. signal crayfish, killer shrimp). In this context, we are interested
in whether biological control may be a future strategy for mitigating the impact of such invasive populations.
Dr Alan Stewart
Ecologist
University of Sussex (UK)
My research interests focus on the ecology of insects with particular reference to insect-
plant interactions, biological control of pest species and conservation of rare and
threatened species. I have a particular interest in the ecology of invasive species. I was
the group leader for terrestrial invertebrates in a 2013 horizon scanning workshop for IAS that are likely to arrive,
establish and have an impact on biodiversity in the UK and I am currently involved in co-leading one task within
with an EC-funded project “Invasive Alien Species – Prioritising prevention efforts through horizon scanning” that
is developing methodologies for horizon scanning at the EU level. I co-ordinate the national recording scheme that
collects data on the distribution of c.400 species of Auchenorrhyncha (leafhoppers and planthoppers) in Britain
and Ireland. I collate and analyse these data to understand the biogeography of the group, monitor and predict
range changes and make recommendations on IUCN-based threat status and UK conservation status.
Dr. Elena Tricarico
Zoologist, freshwater ecosystems; Member of the Core group of the COST Action
and of the subgroup aquatic
Department of Biology, University of Florence (Italy)
I have a post-doc position at the University of Florence where I work on biological
invasions, mainly in freshwater ecosystems, through different perspectives, from
behavioral ecology to management aspects. I participated to several national and European projects (such as
DAISIE, IMPASSE) on alien species, and I was co-responsible for the revision of the freshwater species for the EASIN
(European Alien Species Information Network) catalogue. I am in the editorial board of EASIN and I am involved in
the COST Action TD1209 (Alien Challenge). Currently, I am particularly interested in distribution models (also in
relation to climate change), in risk assessment protocols and in evaluating the multilevel impacts of invasive
species, including the pathogens/diseases they transmit to native species and humans.
Prof. Andrea Vannini
Plant Pathologist/MC member of the COST action
DIBAF-University of Tosca, Viterbo (IT)
Andrea Vannini is a mycologist and plant pathology scientist mainly involved in
studies on protection of natural and semi-natural terrestrial ecosystems. He is
currently employed at the DIBAF-University of Tuscia in Italy where he coordinates the Laboratory of Mycology and
Forest Pathology. His research interest focuses on alien invasive fungal and oomycetes and the impact they have
on biodiversity, ecosystems functionality and sustainability. He belongs to several EU and Global scientists
networks within IUFRO and COST initiatives and has participate to a number of EU research project dealing with
Invasive organisms (PATHOAK, FORTHREATS, BACCARA, ISEFOR). He is author of more than 140 publications and
chapters in books. Andrea was responsible for the revision of the information on fungi of the EASIN and member
of the board.
Sandra VIGLASOVA
PhD. Student
Home organisation: Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen (SK)
Host organization: Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford (UK)
Most of my recent research has focussed on community assemblages of ladybirds
including the alien harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis across Europe. I have been using systematic field
approaches to gather data on the distribution, abundance and behaviour of species. I have been working in
collaboration with CEH (UK), Crop Research Institute (CR) and Institute of Entomology (CR) to get more detailed
insights into the ecology of the alien H. axyridis within its invaded range in Europe. My current research interests
relate to extending my work to consider ecological networks and specifically developing DNA-based techniques to
analyse the gut contents of H. axyridis. I am keen to increase my understanding of pathogens and particularly
interactions between the invasive and native ladybird species (which could be threatened by diseases spread via
invasive alien species (IAS), such as H. axyridis). I am pleased to be involved with this workshop and contribute
with my experiences from field studies.
Dr. Montserrat Vilà
Research Professor
Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC) Spain
Prof. Vilà research focuses on the ecology of alien plant species and their interaction
with other stressors of global change. One of the main areas of interest deals with
the impacts of non-native species and other global change drivers on biodiversity and
ecosystem services, particularly on pollinators and pollination services. I am interested to participate in that
workshop to meet colleagues who work in organisms with complex life histories and high capacity to spread. I like
to learn whether invasion processes in pathogens are comparable to those in plants.
Prof. Vilà has a strong European network of collaborators through EU projects (FP5 EPIDEMIE Exotic plant
invasions: deleterious effects on Mediterranean island ecosystems, FP6 ALARM Assessing large scale risks to
biodiversity using tested methods, FP6 DAISIE Delivering alien invasive species in Europe, FP7 STEP Status and
trends of European pollinators.
Prof. Vilà has been in 2014 among the top 1% researchers for most cited documents in the Ecology/Environment
field. She is author for more than 125 ISI papers, 30 book chapters which have received more than 6050 citations,
h = 39 (>10000 citations, h = 49 in Google Scholar). She has edited 4 books on conservation and written more than
30 papers for the general public. She is member of the IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group and President of
NEOBIOTA. In addition, she is associate editor of Ecology Letters and Biological Invasions journal. For more
information see http://www.montsevila.org.