Academic Journal

Engaging the importance of community scientists in the management of an invasive marine pest

Bibliographic Details
Title: Engaging the importance of community scientists in the management of an invasive marine pest
Authors: Edwin Grosholz, Sabrina Drill, Linda McCann, Kate Bimrose
Source: California Agriculture, Vol 75, Iss 01, Pp 40-45 (2021)
Publisher Information: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2021.
Publication Year: 2021
Collection: LCC:Agriculture
Subject Terms: community science, invasive species, european green crab, coastal, wetland, estuary, citizen science, Agriculture
Description: The introduction of nonnative invasive pests is among the many threats facing coastal ecosystems worldwide. Managing these pests often requires considerable effort and resources, and community scientists can be essential for providing the capacity needed for management and monitoring activities. In response to the invasion of a Northern California estuary by the predatory European green crab, a collaborative team of academic researchers and community scientists initiated a local eradication program. The green crab is listed among the world's 100 worst invaders, and threatened both native species and commercial shellfisheries. The program dramatically reduced the green crab population over a 5-year period, but it rebounded, which necessitated a switch in project goals from eradication to population suppression. Community scientists were essential for facilitating this switch by providing the necessary capacity to quantify population characteristics and maintain reduced crab populations. The result was a sustainable program that successfully maintained low green crab densities, which will likely improve habitat for native species.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 0008-0845
2160-8091
Relation: http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?article=ca.2021a0006; https://doaj.org/toc/0008-0845; https://doaj.org/toc/2160-8091
DOI: 10.3733/ca.2021a0006
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/c6375bb59ac4479ba5523be540faaef7
Accession Number: edsdoj.6375bb59ac4479ba5523be540faaef7
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
ISSN:00080845
21608091
DOI:10.3733/ca.2021a0006