Universidad de Concepción

Urgent action now is needed to tackle the major and growing global issue of invasive alien species, says a team of 88 experts from 47 countries. The paper follows the (IPBES) thematic assessment report on invasive alien species and their control. The experts say co-developing management actions with multiple stakeholders including government and private sector stakeholders, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities will be critical to achieving success in addressing biological invasions. While invasive alien species have long been recognised as a major threat to nature and people, urgent action now is needed to tackle this global issue. This is the critical evaluation by the 88 authors, representing 101 organisations from 47 countries, of 'Curbing the major and growing threats from invasive alien species is urgent and achievable' published in Nature, Ecology & Evolution, including lead author Professor Helen Roy from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the University of Exeter. Focused on the main findings of the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) thematic assessment report on invasive alien species and their control*, the paper also highlights that the impacts of invasive alien species observed today are likely to underestimate the magnitude of future impacts. Also, the interactions among biodiversity drivers are key as no driver acts in isolation. Co-chair of the IPBES IAS assessment and lead author, Professor Helen Roy from the UKCEH and the University of Exeter, said: "The paper brought together the entire expert team of the IAS assessment, with this diverse group spanning many disciplines with perspectives from around the world drawing the same conclusion about the need for urgent action on the major and growing threat of invasive alien species. "With the number of invasive alien species set to rise, the IPBES invasive alien species assessment provides the evidence-base and options to inform immediate and ongoing action. To achieve this there is a need for collaboration, communication and cooperation, not only across borders but within countries." Professor Peter Stoett from Ontario Tech University, co-chair of the IPBES IAS assessment, added: "Interdisciplinarity is key to the success of IPBES assessments. It was wonderful to see social science and humanities experts interacting with invasion biologists and other natural scientists, in a community-building process that will inform policy decisions moving forward." The threats posed by invasive alien species are expected to continue to rise. Every year, approximately two hundred new alien species are now being introduced globally by human activities to regions they had not been recorded before. Even without the introduction of new species by human activities, already established alien species will continue to naturally expand their geographic ranges and spread into new countries and regions, with many causing negative impacts. Simple extrapolations from the impacts of invasive alien species observed today are likely to underestimate the magnitude of future impacts. Interactions among drivers of biodiversity loss are amplifying biological invasions with no driver acting in isolation. Climate change is a major driver facilitating the establishment and spread of invasive alien species into previously inhospitable regions. For example, climate warming is enabling aquatic and terrestrial invasive alien species to establish and spread poleward, including into the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Also, in some mountainous regions, climate change, acting together with other drivers of biodiversity loss, has allowed invasive alien species to extend their ranges into higher elevations twice as fast as native species. The IPBES invasive species assessment provided the first comprehensive synthesis of evidence globally concluding that the threat of biological invasions is major but can be mitigated with urgent cross-sectorial cooperative and collaborative action. Co-developing management actions with multiple stakeholders including government and private sector stakeholders, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities will be critical to achieving success in addressing biological invasions. Aníbal Pauchard, co-chair of the IPBES IAS assessment and Professor at the University of Concepción, Chile, highlights the importance of inclusion within the assessment: "This is not only the most comprehensive global assessment on invasive alien species to date, but also the selection of experts and the evidence gathering was done under the highest standards of inclusivity, resulting in a report which provides critical insights for all stakeholders." Coordinating bodies such as the Non-Native Species Secretariat can ensure effective collaboration among diverse stakeholder groups. Indeed, management actions in response to incursions of the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) in the UK have involved multiple stakeholders coming together to ensure rapid flow of information following detection of the species leading to effective control of nests. The paper recognises that the engagement of the general public through awareness raising campaigns, education and community science platforms also contributes to establishing shared responsibilities in managing biological invasions. Community science initiatives, supported by digital identification tools are important for the rapid detection of invasive alien species. Records submitted by the public through the Asian Hornet Watch app in the UK are making a major contribution to Vespa velutina (Asian hornet) early warning and rapid response.

Leading Experts to Drive Algae Remediation Research, Including Impact of Ultrasound Technology WILSON, Wyo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WaterIQ Technologies™, the leader in next-generation ultrasonic solutions to combat harmful algae and biofilm without the use of chemicals, today announced the addition of three members to its newly formed Scientific Advisory Board. Appointed members span the U.S., Mexico and South America and will serve in research roles conducting basic and independent research into algae growth and remediation mechanisms. Board members include Dr. Paul Zimba, Research Faculty member, Virginia Commonwealth University; Dr. Viviana Almanza Marroquín, Algologist, Assistant Professor and Environmental Science Researcher – Centre EULA, University of Concepción, Chile; and Dr. Enrique Mora, Limnologist and Director of the Ecotone Analysis and Water Quality Laboratory in Veracruz, Mexico. “The creation of the Scientific Advisory Board is the next step in WaterIQ’s commitment to producing unique algae remediation research,” said WaterIQ CEO and Chairman, Lawrence Field. “We continue to seek leading experts in the scientific world to better understand how ultrasonic technology can combat the environmental issues caused by algae. Partnering with top scientists in the algae remediation industry will fast-forward our goal of developing a base of scientific and hypothesis-driven research that advances proven sustainable algae remediation strategies that doesn’t involve harmful chemicals. This will enable our customers to be better stewards of the environment.” WaterIQ’s Scientific Advisory Board will guide the company’s algae growth and remediation research, including the impact of ultrasound technology in different use cases and against different algae species and strains. The board will also serve in an expert advisory capacity on application-specific customer and market challenges. The Scientific Advisory Board follows the announcement of WaterIQ’s Board of Directors as the company accelerates its market growth in the ultrasonic technology market. Dr. Paul Zimba – Dr. Zimba has worked in aquatic ecology, including worldwide research in marine, estuarine and freshwater ecosystems. He has focused on minimizing the occurrence and effect of harmful algal blooms on natural and aquaculture systems, focusing specifically on cyanobacteria. Dr. Zimba has published more than 135 papers, book chapters, and proceedings, including algal identification of known and new taxa, nutrient:algal relationships, chemical and physical methods for bloom control, as well as off-flavor, remote sensing, toxin detection and trophic relationships. He is currently a research faculty member at the Rice Rivers Center at Virginia Commonwealth University with previous employment at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and with the USDA/Agricultural Research Service Dr. Viviana Almanza Marroquín – Dr. Marroquín is an expert in the taxonomy of inland water microalgae and phytoplankton, particularly cyanobacteria and harmful microalgae. With more than 10 years of scientific research experience, she has co-authored more than 10 peer-reviewed and published research studies in the field of water ecology. Her current focus is on the study of the distribution and the periodic frequency of both cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae (dinoflagellates and diatoms) blooms. Dr. Almanza Marroquín seeks to better understand the environmental factors involved in bloom formation and development, the impact on important water resources (drinking water, recreational water, irrigation) and the community responses to its impact. Dr. Enrique Mora – Dr. Mora has more than 10 years of experience in ecological restoration, monitoring water quality in aquatic ecosystems and aquatic ecological project management. As an academic professional, Dr. Mora has led and advised undergraduate research students on various contamination source research projects on bodies of water for the Technological Institute of Tantoyuca. Working with the city of Martinez de la Torre, he has contributed and led published research on controlling cyanobacterial harmful algae blooms in freshwater ecosystems in various parts of Mexico. He has also collaborated with other scientists to provide information and research for private entities and government agencies. Dr. Mora is affiliated with Ocean Experts (directory of marine and freshwater professionals), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and UNESCO. WaterIQ Technologies combines world-class go-to-market engagement, technical expertise, innovative technology, and business processes to address the world’s growing algae crisis sustainably. The company works closely with reseller partners to eradicate dangerous algae growth in various markets, including drinking water utilities, wastewater treatment plants, general agriculture, golf courses, lakes, and ponds, industrial and HOAs. Resources More on WaterIQ Technologies Press Release: WaterIQ Technologies Appoints Board of Directors to Drive Next Phase of Growth for Ultrasonic Algae and BioFilm Treatment Solutions Follow us on social: Twitter and LinkedIn About WaterIQ Technologies WaterIQ Technologies is a technology company that designs solutions to defend water from algae and biofilm contamination in drinking water treatment utilities, wastewater drinking plants, golf courses, lakes and ponds, general agricultural irrigation, and wineries. WaterIQ Technologies uses next-generation ultrasonic technology, designed to be highly effective and reliable, to eliminate algae and prevent its return, and on-board monitoring technology to capture critical water quality data from sensors and transfer it in real-time for remote monitoring and analytics. As a result, customers can remotely monitor water health to sustainably treat algae. WaterIQ Technologies' solutions and highly competent staff play a crucial part in an overall prescriptive solution to restore water to its natural state. WaterIQ is an environmental sustainability partner with Audubon International. WaterIQ Technologies and the WaterIQ Technologies logo are trademarks of WaterIQ Technologies. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners. ©2023 WaterIQ Technologies. All rights reserved.

Grapevine Trunk Diseases, or GTDs, are the bane of vineyard owners worldwide, and as of 2012, were responsible for more than $1.5 billion in annual economic damages. While researchers have long known that a host of pathogenic fungi combine to gang up on grapevines, the mechanics of how these GTD-causing fungi work has remained a mystery. Grapevine Trunk Diseases, or GTDs, are the bane of vineyard owners worldwide, and as of 2012, were responsible for more than $1.5 billion in annual economic damages. While researchers have long known that a host of pathogenic fungi combine to gang up on grapevines, the mechanics of how these GTD-causing fungi work has remained a mystery. Recently, an international cohort of researchers, led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, announced a previously unknown mechanism that is deployed by a group of pathogenic fungi working in concert and which are responsible for the death of the grapevines. Thankfully, it would seem that a fairly easy, cost-effective solution may be on the horizon. GTDs have been known to devastate up to 30% of the vines in a single vineyard each year, and typically attack older, well-established vines. In California alone, annual GTD-related losses amount to 14% of the total value of the wine grapes produced. GTD-causing fungi typically enter the vine's system through pruning wounds and, once established, develop a rotting canker that gradually expands, dissolving the woody part of the vine from the inside out and killing the plant. It's no easy feat to dissolve the tough cellulose and lignin framework that make up woody plants, but a consortium of fungi have figured out how to do it, perplexing scientists. "The missing ingredient," says Barry Goodell, professor of microbiology at UMass Amherst, and the paper's senior author, "is an understanding of what very small compounds produced by the fungi are actually doing to the grapevines." In particular, Goodell and his UMass Amherst colleagues and students, along with collaborating scientists from the University of Florence in Italy, the Université de Lorraine and the Université de Haute-Alsace, both in France, and the University of Concepción in Chile, as well as vineyard owners in both France and Italy, have discovered that some of the GTD-causing fungi produce different types of small compounds that are released into the wood of the vine. One of those compounds is responsible for reducing iron. Normally, we encounter iron as the chemical compound, Fe3+. Reducing iron from Fe3+ to Fe2+ sets the stage for some nasty grapevine problems. "But that's not the whole story," Goodell says. "We also discovered that there's another set of small compounds that are produced by other fungi in the consortia, and these compounds are really good at producing hydrogen peroxide. When hydrogen peroxide meets reduced iron -- BOOM! -- the reaction releases a host of oxygen radicals that damage the woody tissue causing an almost cancer-like disease." In short, different fungi, each producing one of the two types of small compounds needed for an extracellular bomb, figured out how to get together, mix their respective chemicals, and use them to blow apart the cellulose walls of the grapevine's cells. Once the cell walls are breached, the fungi can feast on the sugar-rich fluid that once was the cellular structure supporting the vine's own growth. Luckily, there's a potential fix, which is so common consumers probably eat it every morning with cereal: antioxidants and low-toxicity chelators. Often added to food products to preserve freshness, they also interrupt the production of reduced iron and hydrogen peroxide. They also scavenge the oxygen radicals the fungi produce. "In addition," Goodell points out, "there are some select bacteria and fungi that produce these antioxidant and chelating compounds. Our research shows that we may be able to manage and stop GTDs through 'bio-control' treatments by increasing the natural presence of these antagonistic organisms on the vines." "Of course, there's still work to be done," says Goodell. "Vineyard pathologists need to test our research in the field, and other microbiologists will want to verify our work. But we already have colleagues as part of our larger team that are doing this, and we're confident that this research represents a breakthrough in ways that we understand this devastating disease of vineyards and how to control that devastation." The research was recently published in the journals Fungal Biology and Frontiers in Plant Science, and was supported by the USDA-NIFA Hatch Multistate Program and the Microbiology Department at UMass, the French/European VitEST project and Laboratoire Vigne Biotechnologies et Environnement at University Haute-Alsace, and DAGRI at the University of Florence, Italy.