DOI: 10.5061/dryad.m93f6
title: Data from: Assessing patterns in introduction pathways of alien species by linking major invasion databases

description: 1. Preventing the arrival of invasive alien species (IAS) is a major
 priority in managing biological invasions. However, information on
 introduction pathways is currently scattered across many databases that
 often use different categorisations to describe similar pathways. This
 hampers the identification and prioritisation of pathways in order to meet
 the main targets of recent environmental policies. 2. Therefore, we
 integrate pathway information from two major IAS databases, IUCN's
 Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) and the DAISIE European Invasive
 Alien Species Gateway, applying the new standard categorisation scheme
 recently adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). We
 describe the process of mapping pathways from the individual databases to
 the CBD scheme and provide, for the first time, detailed descriptions of
 the standard pathway categories. The combined dataset includes pathway
 information for 8323 species across major taxonomic groups (plants,
 vertebrates, invertebrates, algae, fungi, other) and environments
 (terrestrial, freshwater, marine). 3. We analyse the data for major
 patterns in the introduction pathways, highlighting that the specific
 research question and context determines whether the combined or an
 individual dataset is the better information source for such analyses.
 While the combined dataset provides an improved basis for
 direction-setting in invasion management policies on the global level,
 individual datasets often better reflect regional idiosyncrasies. The
 combined dataset should thus be considered in addition to, rather than
 replacing, existing individual datasets. 4. Pathway patterns derived from
 the combined and individual datasets show that the intentional pathways
 ‘Escape’ and ‘Release’ are most important for plants and vertebrates,
 while for invertebrates, algae, fungi and micro-organisms unintentional
 transport pathways prevail. Differences in pathway proportions among
 marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments are much less pronounced.
 The results also show that IAS with highest impacts in Europe are on
 average associated with a greater number of pathways than other alien
 species and are more frequently introduced both intentionally and
 unintentionally. 5. Synthesis and applications. Linking databases on
 invasive alien species by harmonising and consolidating their pathway
 information is essential to turn dispersed data into useful knowledge. The
 standard pathway categorisation scheme recently adopted by the Convention
 on Biological Diversity may be crucial to facilitate this process. Our
 study demonstrates the value of integrating major invasion databases to
 help managers and policymakers reach robust conclusions about patterns in
 introduction pathways and thus aid effective prevention and prioritisation
 in invasion management.
description: Introduction pathways of
 alien speciesThe data file
 INTRODUCTION_PATHWAYS.xls contains information for 8323 introduced species
 regarding introduction pathways, taxonomic group (plants, vertebrates,
 invertebrates, algae, fungi, other), inhabited environment (terrestrial,
 freshwater, marine) and listing status on three different lists of worst
 invasive alien species. Pathway data were retrieved from the Invasive
 Alien Species Pathway Management Resource (IASPMR,
 www.pathway-toolbox.auckland.ac.nz), including all pathway information
 contained in the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD,
 www.iucngisd.org), and from DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway
 (www.europe-aliens.org). The README file provides basic descriptions of
 the variables in the data file. For full details on data handling and
 pathway categorisation see Saul et al. (2016, J Appl
 Ecol).INTRODUCTION_PATHWAYS.xls