Estratégias integradas para a gestão sustentável de plantas invasoras, a recuperação de ecossistemas e o envolvimento da comunidade

This proposal leverages the research team's robust expertise in Biological Control (BC) and Invasive Alien Plant (IAP) management, introducing an innovative focus on ecosystem restoration and applying novel methodologies in remote sensing, machine learning and participatory workshops. The overarching goals include i) supporting the sustainable management of Acacia longifolia, one of the most prevalent IAPs in Portugal and Mediterranean climate countries, and ii) contributing to best practices and advances on BC. The RESCUE project also aims to generate scientific innovation, such as disentangling the ecological role of Biological Control Agents (BCAs) at various levels, developing community-wide multilayer interaction networks post-BCA introduction, and employing remote sensing for BCA monitoring. Finally, the proposal embraces translational ecology approaches adaptable to IAP management worldwide, integrating ecological knowledge to address biological invasions and providing practical solutions for conservation and IAP management, while collaborating with stakeholders. The proposal unfolds across five Activities, capitalizing on long-term datasets, exploring new scientific questions, and searching for improved solutions for the global threat of biological invasions. These objectives can be summarized as follows: 1) Contribute to the advancement of ecological knowledge in BC while consolidating its rigorous and safe use in Europe. This will encompass: long-term assessment of the spread of the gall-former wasp T. acaciaelongifoliae, its direct target and non-target effects (Activity 1), assessment of the indirect effects, examining multilevel effects on ecological networks (Activity 2), and use of advanced remote sensing techniques for large-scale detection of the BCA (Activity 3). 2) Improve the restoration of invaded ecosystem, which is the primary goal of managing IAP, whether in natural habitats (e.g., in protected areas) or human-managed environments (e.g., forestry plantations). This effort will draw upon existing knowledge and integrate newly generated findings from other RESCUE Activities to empower land managers in A. longifolia and IAP management (Activities 4.1 and 4.2). BCAs that reduce long-lived seeds are crucial to maximize sustainability of restoration efforts. 3) Utilize the scientific knowledge created within RESCUE, along with insights gathered from external sources and stakeholders, to create a science-based decision framework supporting the management of woody IAP and ecosystem restoration (Activity 4.3). 4) Explore innovative ways to engage citizens and stakeholders in the management of IAP (Activity 5). Creative citizen science initiatives and awareness campaigns will extend the project’s outreach and garner public support for IAP management and BC. All activities will significantly improve IAP management, focusing on A. longifolia as a case study, and contribute major advances to BC and ecological science.