Biology subjects

Vilizzi, L.

Publications and source records attributed to Vilizzi, L..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Invasiveness Screening Kit (ISK) v3: an integrated multilingual decision-support platform for non-native species risk identification

Risk identification of non-native species is widely used to support prioritization, early warning, horizon scanning and management decisions. Over the past two decades, the Invasiveness Screening Kit (ISK) framework of decision-support tools has developed through aquatic, terrestrial animal and terrestrial plant applications, but until now these toolkits have been distributed and used as separate software environments. ISK v3 provides a single integrated Microsoft Excel/Visual Basic for Applications platform for the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK), Terrestrial Animal Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (TAS-ISK) and Terrestrial Plant Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (TPS-ISK). It preserves the established questionnaires, scoring logic and multilingual implementation of the three toolkits within a single integrated interface, while introducing improved harmonized database workflows, screening record management, taxonomic verification, threshold handling with built-in calibration, risk summaries, reporting, merging and export functions as well as controlled access to separate Excel instances. The platform supports 31 languages, toolkit-specific databases, conversion of compatible v2 databases, import of legacy aquatic first-generation ISK databases into AS-ISK, online verification through major taxonomic and biodiversity data resources, and use of a global a priori categorization dataset for calibration. ISK v3 preserves the reproducible screening structure of the three toolkits while improving consistency, transparency and traceability in non-native species risk identification and reducing fragmentation across toolkits. It provides a common platform for researchers, managers and institutions applying risk identification workflows across aquatic, terrestrial animal and terrestrial plant taxa.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2026

High invasion risk of non-native fishes in the lower Tigris Basin (south-west Iran) with special reference to Shadegan International Wetland

The invasiveness risk of 15 non-native freshwater fish species established in the lower Tigris Basin (south-west Iran) was evaluated for Shadegan International Wetland and associated catchments of the Jarrahi and Karun rivers by integrating risk screening with species distribution modelling. Risk identification under both current and projected climate conditions indicated that most taxa pose elevated invasion risk, with 13 species ranked as high risk and two as medium risk under the Basic Risk Assessment, and 11 as high risk, three as medium risk, and one as low risk after incorporating climate change effects. The highest scoring species were redbelly tilapia Coptodon zillii, blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus, and Nile tilapia O. niloticus, each with outcome scores exceeding 40 under both screening components. Species distribution models for these taxa showed good predictive performance and indicated broad climatic suitability across the lower basin, with projections based on non-native occurrences suggesting a substantially wider potential distribution than projections based on native range data. Collectively, these findings indicate a high likelihood of continued spread and ecological impact within this internationally important wetland system and support the need for coordinated transboundary management to strengthen monitoring, early detection, rapid response, and strategic control of potentially invasive species.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2026

Emerging invasion risks of non-native urban trees in continental Europe under a changing climate

Urban green areas often harbour numerous non-native urban trees, many of which have characteristics that predispose them to escape from cultivation and become potentially invasive. Climate change is expected to exacerbate this risk by creating favourable conditions for species that are currently climatically restricted. The potential risks for invasiveness of urban tree species in continental Europe are not yet known. Here, we provide a comprehensive risk screening of 34 non-native urban tree species in continental Europe, for both current and projected future climate scenarios. Using the Terrestrial Plant Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (TPS-ISK v2.4), we assessed invasion risk based on biogeography, ecology, and projected responses to climate change. Results showed that under current conditions, 10 species (29.4%) were categorised as high risk, 23 (67.6%) as medium risk and one (2.9%) as low risk. The inclusion of climate change projections increased the number of high risk species to 11, with seven species categorised as very high risk. These taxa exhibit strong ecological plasticity, high reproductive performance and broad environmental tolerance, which together with projected warming, emphasises their significant potential for further spread. Our results emphasise the urgent need for early detection, continuous monitoring and proactive management of non-native urban trees in Europe, especially those that are widely used in horticulture and forestry. By integrating invasion biology with climate change risk screening, this study provides an important basis for evidence-based policy and management strategies to mitigate future ecological and economic impacts of invasions by urban trees.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2026

A biosecurity baseline for transboundary management of marine biological invasions in the ROPME Sea Area

Marine and brackish-water ecosystems are increasingly degraded by cumulative human pressures, with biological invasions representing a major driver of biodiversity loss, ecosystem disruption, and socio-economic impacts. Effective management requires regionally harmonized and scientifically robust baselines capable of supporting coordinated transboundary decision-making. Here we present the first consolidated marine biosecurity baseline for the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Sea Area, a transboundary region characterized by extreme environmental conditions and increasing biosecurity pressure. A total of 192 species (123 extant and 69 horizon), including birds, fishes, tunicates, invertebrates, plants, and chromists, were systematically reviewed, taxonomically validated, and cross-checked against major databases and Member State inputs. Re-evaluation of a previous regional screening revealed substantial inconsistencies, with 24 species ({approx}18%) requiring status correction or exclusion. The resulting consolidated inventory comprised 130 validated retained species supplemented by 62 additional taxa. Extant species were classified according to biogeographic origin and impact status, whereas horizon species were evaluated based on introduction pathways, environmental suitability, and projected climate trends. Risk screening under current and projected climate conditions identified 39 extant species as very high risk, providing an operational basis for progression to full risk assessment and coordinated regional biosecurity management.

ecology↗