engleski

EXPLORING THE KNOWLEDGE AND APPLICATION OF BIOSECURITY PRACTICES IN FIELD RESEARCH AMONG RESEARCHERS IN CROATIA

Invasive alien species (IAS) are among the main drivers of biodiversity loss and negatively impact ecosystem services, human health and economy. A high percentage of IAS has been introduced unintentionally, as a result of activities such as transport, trade, recreation and work-related activities, which can also include field activities of researchers. The aim of this research was to evaluate biosecurity practices of researchers during their field work, as well as their knowledge of IAS, biosecurity and the risks imposed by the spread of IAS. We carried out our research through an anonymous online Google Forms questionnaire distributed to over 63 institutions and groups. The results based on 172 received responses show a general insufficient knowledge of biosecurity practices, while the most relevant identified issues are the lack of cleaning transport vehicles and the application of most basic and least efficient cleaning approaches for field equipment and clothes (removal of residuals). Students were identified as a high-risk group due to a high number of field visits to multiple locations and high frequency of equipment use, but with low scores regarding equipment cleaning. Due to these identified high risks of field work practices posed by the youngest analysed group, we propose that a better formal education regarding IAS and biosecurity should be included in the academic curriculum. Moreover, we suggest that biosecurity campaigns on this important but neglected topic should be conducted in Croatia and should focus on increasing the frequency and number of equipment and clothing cleaning approaches, on including cleaning procedures into biosecurity practices and on the importance of fieldwork planning for minimization of biosecurity risks.

accidental IAS introductions, Croatia, fieldwork, questionnaire

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