Speaking their language – development of a multilingual decision-support tool for communicating invasive species risks to decision makers and stakeholders

Environmental changes due to non-native species introductions and translocations are a global concern. Whilst understanding the causes of bioinvasions is important, there is need for decision-support tools that facilitate effective communication of the potential risks of invasive non-native species to stakeholders. Decision-support tools have been developed mostly in English language only, which increases linguistic uncertainty associated with risk assessments undertaken by assessors not of English mother tongue and who need to communicate outcomes to local stakeholders. To reduce language-based uncertainty, the ‘ecology-of-language’ paradigm was applied when developing the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK), a decision-support tool that offers 32 languages in which to carry out screenings and communicate outcomes to stakeholders. Topics discussed include uncertainty related to language-specific issues encountered during the AS-ISK translation and the potential benefits of a multilingual decision-support tool for reducing linguistic uncertainty and enhancing communication between scientists, environmental managers, policy and decision makers.

Keyword(s)

Ecology of languages, Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit, Alien species, Risk identification, Global applicability

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Copp Gordon H., Vilizzi Lorenzo, Wei Hui, Li Shan, Piria Marina, Al-Faisal Abbas J., Almeida David, Atique Usman, Al-Wazzan Zainab, Bakiu Rigers, Bašić Tea, Bui Thuyet D., Canning-Clode João, Castro Nuno, Chaichana Ratcha, Çoker Tülin, Dashinov Dimitriy, Ekmekçi F.Güler, Erős Tibor, Ferincz Árpád, Ferreira Teresa, Giannetto Daniela, Gilles Allan S., Głowacki Łukasz, Goulletquer Philippe, Interesova Elena, Iqbal Sonia, Jakubčinová Katarína, Kanongdate Kamalaporn, Kim Jeong-Eun, Kopecký Oldřich, Kostov Vasil, Koutsikos Nicholas, Kozic Sebastian, Kristan Petra, Kurita Yoshihisa, Lee Hwang-Goo, Leuven Rob S.E.W., Lipinskaya Tatsiana, Lukas Juliane, Marchini Agnese, González Martínez Ana Isabel, Masson Laurence, Memedemin Daniyar, Moghaddas Seyed Daryoush, Monteiro João, Mumladze Levan, Naddafi Rahmat, Năvodaru Ion, Olsson Karin H., Onikura Norio, Paganelli Daniele, Pavia Richard Thomas, Perdikaris Costas, Pickholtz Renanel, Pietraszewski Dariusz, Povž Meta, Preda Cristina, Ristovska Milica, Rosíková Karin, Santos José Maria, Semenchenko Vitaliy, Senanan Wansuk, Simonović Predrag, Smeti Evangelia, Števove Barbora, Švolíková Kristína, Ta Kieu Anh T., Tarkan Ali Serhan, Top Nildeniz, Tricarico Elena, Uzunova Eliza, Vardakas Leonidas, Verreycken Hugo, Zięba Grzegorz, Mendoza Roberto (2021). Speaking their language – development of a multilingual decision-support tool for communicating invasive species risks to decision makers and stakeholders. Environmental Modelling & Software. 135. 104900 (11p.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2020.104900, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00654/76659/

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