Enhancing decision making around management and mitigation of forest invasive alien species using computer assisted risk models.

The forests of Canada are under acute risk of been introduced to new non-native forest invasive alien species (FIAS) due to increase in free trade, climate change, anthropogenic activities, lack of natural enemies and environmental considerations that will limit the control and eradication process. In recognition to FIAS ability to threaten the country’s environment and economy, our current research, aims at investigating species specific invasive behaviors in changing climate conditions, dispersal patterns linked with genetic traits and transport networks and ultimately providing timely information of potential risk and distribution zones of the non-native FIAS enabling policymakers and land managers to prepare appropriate control and eradication strategies in advance.The study will form a basis for the development of non-native FIAS risk assessment strategies focusing on prevention of spread and establishment of FIAS in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Verena Griess

Student:

Partner:

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: