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A Social Analysis of the Bioinvasions of Dreissena polymorpha in Spain and Hydrilla verticillata in Guatemala

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Abstract

Human agency plays a key role in the processes of biological invasions. This comprises not only the human role in the configuration of driving forces or in the perception of the impacts, but also the conceptualization of alien species themselves as an environmental problem. This paper examines different stakeholders’ positions in bioinvasion processes at different scales, and it looks at their relevance for the management of invasive species. It compares two cases: the invasion process of Dreissena polymorpha in the Ebro River in Spain and the case of Hydrilla verticillata in Lake Izabal, Guatemala. Our results are structured according to impacts and to management options. The discussion focuses on the relevance of incorporating the different stakeholders’ interests and values in the analysis and management of biological invasions. Although social analysis of stakeholders’ positions is necessary in order to foster management actions, it also reveals conflicts on the relevant criteria and on the very definition of invasive species.

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Notes

  1. Ladino is equivalent to mestizo.

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Acknowledgments

The ICTA-UAB group on the socio-economics of biological invasions is funded by FP 6 Integrated Project “ALARM” (GOCE-CT-2003-506675). We are grateful to the ALARM socio-economic team, Joan Martinez-Alier, Ines Omman, Joachim Spangenberg, and also Wanda Born and Danny Chivers as well as the ALARM invasive species team for their suggestions and comments on our work. Moreover, we are particularly grateful to local inhabitants and other stakeholders who actively collaborated in the research process.

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  1. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus UAB, Ed. Ciències; Torre 5 (parells), 4 pl., 08193, Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain

    Rosa Binimelis, Iliana Monterroso & Beatriz Rodríguez-Labajos

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  1. Rosa Binimelis
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  2. Iliana Monterroso
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  3. Beatriz Rodríguez-Labajos
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Correspondence to Rosa Binimelis.

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Binimelis, R., Monterroso, I. & Rodríguez-Labajos, B. A Social Analysis of the Bioinvasions of Dreissena polymorpha in Spain and Hydrilla verticillata in Guatemala. Environmental Management 40, 555–566 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-006-0206-x

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