Work

Special Issue: Advances in the study of the management of biological invasions in inland waters and the legacy of Gordon Howard Copp (1956–2023)

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This special issue of Management of Biological Invasions is dedicated to the late Professor Gordon H. Copp, a pioneer in invasion biology and recipient of the prestigious Doctor of Science title for his exceptional scientific contributions.Over his career, Gordon met the "gold standard" of scientific excellence through his peer-reviewed publications, successful research funding, international collaborations, and leadership roles.In the early 2000s, Gordon shifted his main focus from fish conservation biology to invasion biology, where he significantly advanced the field, particularly in non-native species risk analysis.Alongside his career-long collaborator Lorenzo Vilizzi, he developed decision support tools for risk identification, including the Freshwater Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit and "ISK" siblings, and its successor, the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK), which has been used globally to assess the risk of non-native aquatic organisms.Gordon's work laid the foundation for the European Non-native Species in Aquaculture Risk Analysis Scheme, influencing policies and practices worldwide.This special issue features contributions from some of Gordon's closest collaborators and mentees, who explore a wide range of topics in invasion biology.Highlights include updated methodologies for risk screening with the AS-ISK, case studies from diverse geographic regions, and discussions on the socio-economic impacts of invasive species.This special issue also introduces a new screening toolkit, which addresses gaps in current tools for risk identification.Collectively, these studies honour Gordon's legacy by continuing to advance understanding and management of biological invasions, ensuring his influence endures for future generations of scientists.We hope this special issue serves as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners in the field and that Gordon would have appreciated the quality and scope of the contributions as a testament to his lasting impact.

Source: Management of Biological Invasions

DOI: 10.3391/mbi.2025.16.1.01

Authors: Lorenzo Vilizzi, Calum MacNeil

Institutions: University of Łódź, University of Santo Tomas, Cawthron Institute

Language: English

Topic: Fish Ecology and Management Studies

Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $960