Global actions for managing cactus invasions

Michael Day and many colleagues have just published “Global actions for managing cactus invasions” in Plants. The cactus family contains some of the most widespread and damaging invasive alien plant species with Australia, South Africa and Spain being the worst affected. The Global Cactus Working Group  was launched through the International Organization for Biological Control in 2015 to improve international collaboration and identify key actions to limit the impacts caused by cactus invasions. The Working Group: (1) recommended that invasive and potentially invasive cacti be regulated and proposed five risk categories; (2) recommended that cactus invasions be treated physically or chemically before they become widespread; (3) advocated the use of biological control for widespread infestation; and (4) encouraged the development of public awareness and engagement initiatives to integrate knowledge and address conflicts of interest. Implementing these recommendations will require global co-operation.

Novoa, A., Brundu, G., Day, M.D., Deltoro, V., Essl, F., Foxcroft, L.C., Fried, G., Kaplan, H., Kumschick, S., Lloyd, S., Marchante, E., Marchante, H., Paterson, I.D., Pyšek, P., Richardson, D.M., Witt, A., Zimmermann, H.G. and Wilson, J.R.U. 2019. Global actions for managing cactus invasions. Plants 8(10): 421.