@article{371, keywords = {Environmental hazard horizon scanning invasive alien species legislation wildlife diseases}, author = {Roy Helen E. and Hesketh Helen and Purse Bethan V. and Eilenberg Jørgen and Santini Alberto and Scalera Riccardo and Stentiford Grant D. and Adriaens Tim and Bacela-Spychalska Karolina and Bass David and Beckmann Katie M. and Bessell Paul and Bojko Jamie and Booy Olaf and Cardoso Ana Cristina and Essl Franz and Groom Quentin and Harrower Colin A and Kleespies Regina and Martinou Angeliki F. and van Oers Monique M. and Peeler Edmund J. and Pergl Jan and Rabitsch Wolfgang and Roques Alain and Schaffner Francis and Schindler Stefan and Schmidt Benedikt R. and Schönrogge K. and Smith Jonathan and Solarz Wojciech and Stewart Alan JA and Stroo Arjan and Tricarico Elena and Turvey Katharine M. A. and Vannini Andrea and Vilà Montserrat and Woodward Stephen and Wynns Anja Amtoft and Dunn Alison M.}, title = {Alien Pathogens on the Horizon: Opportunities for Predicting their Threat to Wildlife}, abstract = {According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, by 2020 invasive alien species (IAS) should be identified and their impacts assessed, so that species can be prioritized for implementation of appropriate control strategies and measures put in place to manage invasion pathways. For one quarter of the IAS listed as the “100 of the world's worst” environmental impacts are linked to diseases of wildlife (undomesticated plants and animals). Moreover, IAS are a significant source of “pathogen pollution” defined as the human-mediated introduction of a pathogen to a new host or region. Despite this, little is known about the biology of alien pathogens and their biodiversity impacts after introduction into new regions. We argue that the threats posed by alien pathogens to endangered species, ecosystems, and ecosystem services should receive greater attention through legislation, policy, and management. We identify 10 key areas for research and action, including those relevant to the processes of introduction and establishment of an alien pathogen and to prediction of the spread and associated impact of an alien pathogen on native biota and ecosystems. The development of interdisciplinary capacity, expertise, and coordination to identify and manage threats was seen as critical to address knowledge gaps.}, year = {2016}, journal = {Conservation Letters}, pages = {n/a-n/a}, language = {eng}, }