Abstract
Massive invasion of streams and rivers by non-indiginous species (NIS) and pathogens is a global problem, including Sweden. NIS often rapidly transform stream environmental properties, and community composition and diversity. These changes have knock-on effects on the magnitude and stability of ecosystem services. Outcomes for human well-being and economic activity are often negative, though some NIS may have some positive effects also (as when an NIS is important for fisheries). Presently, models quantifying NIS effects on ecosystem services, and their economic outcomes, are poorly developed. EXTREAM aims to quantify how key non-indiginous plants, animals and pathogens affect the magnitude and stability of ecosystem services in streams, and to use this information in developing economic valuation of NIS, and efficient management policies. There are four work packages: (i) NIS effects on stream ecosystem services, (ii) Linkages between NIS, biodiversity and the stability of ecosystem services, (iii) Forecasting NIS effects on ecosystem services at larger spatio-temporal scales, (iv) Economic valuation of NIS and policy development. EXTREAM will address key theoretical questions on linkages between orgnanisms, their environment and ecosystem service delivery, and will provide a quantitative framework for setting management priorities targeting NIS that balance costs of control against costs of inaction, and consider both positive and negative economic and ecological outcomes.
Sweden