Prioritising non-native pest species to inform plant health biosecurity policy decisions and to safeguard agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, and livelihoods in Uganda

Prioritising non-native pest species to inform plant health biosecurity policy decisions and to safeguard agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, and livelihoods in Uganda

In recent years, various invasive species have been introduced to sub-Saharan Africa, partly due to insufficient information about potential invasions, which has led countries to respond reactively rather than proactively. This information can be gathered through horizon scanning. Using the CABI Hor...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joseph Mulema, Caroline Nankinga, John Patrick Kanahe Kagorora, Geoffrey Tusiime, Robert Amayo, Martin Chemonges, Costa Gumisiriya, Fred Kato, Boniface Mulindwa Kigongo, David Kutunga, Barnabas Mudde, John Bosco Muhumuza, Yosia Mukasa, Herbert Musiimenta, Fred Muzira, Emmanuel John Namasa, Idd Ramathan, Gilbert Sebutare, Alexander Ssamula, Benius Tukahirwa, Samuel Morris Opio, Ivan Juma Obare, Caroline Aliamo, Christine Alokit, Venansio Tumuhaise, Daniel Karanja, Paul Mwambu, MaryLucy Oronje, Shahasi Yusuf Athman, Morris Akiri, Ivan Rwomushana, Joab Tugume, Herbert Talwana, Edward Onkendi, Mildred Ochwo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Agronomy
Subjects:
invasive alien species
horizon scanning
rapid risk assessment
pest risk identification
pest risk analysis
pest risk management
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fagro.2025.1601845/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In recent years, various invasive species have been introduced to sub-Saharan Africa, partly due to insufficient information about potential invasions, which has led countries to respond reactively rather than proactively. This information can be gathered through horizon scanning. Using the CABI Horizon Scanning Tool, 9,071 pest species have been identified as unreported in Uganda. A subset of 1,517 was prioritised for rapid risk assessment based on guidelines that evaluated the likelihood of entry and establishment, the magnitude of socio-economic and environmental impact, as well as potential pathways of introduction. These pest species included 357 arthropods, 130 bacteria, 74 chromista, 417 fungi, 19 molluscs, 124 nematodes, nine protists, and 387 viruses and viroids, of which 360 of the 1,517 were reported as invasive. Vectors and vectored organisms were also assessed to determine their associated risk. Management actions were recommended for 618 species, which included 160 arthropods, 70 bacteria, 30 chromista, 174 fungi, six molluscs, 41 nematodes, three protists, eight viroids, and 126 viruses. These pest species either attained an overall risk score of 54 and above or a lower score for specific pest species. The actions included targeted surveillance, regulation supported by pest risk analysis, contingency planning, publicity, management by the industry, and research. This information is vital for risk monitoring and management and can be utilised by countries in the East African Region.
ISSN:2673-3218

Similar Items