Parallel concepts and future opportunities across the biological control and invasion sciences

Ross N. Cuthbert, Nompumelelo Baso, Tressia Chikodza, Candice Coombes, Jane Doherty, Michael Githae, Tamzin Griffith, Marco Hernandez, Karla Jaschke, Michael Jukes, David Kinsler, Hugh MacIsaac, Hlumelo Mantshi, Pippa Muskett, Reyard Mutamiswa, Anthony Ricciardi, Wade Sexton, Guy F. Sutton, Deric Tanka, Jaqui van Dyk, Clarke van Steenderen, Jaimie T.A. Dick, Julie Coetzee

The biological control and invasion sciences are long-standing research fields that have accrued enormous fundamental and applied interest. However, their theoretical and practical integration remains in its infancy. Utilizing an expert elicitation process with participants spanning these sciences, we identify conceptual parallels and future opportunities to strengthen links and address future challenges in both fields. We found that the biocontrol and invasion sciences face pervasive context-dependencies that must be understood to improve outcome predictions, including climatic changes, spatiotemporal scales, and ‘ecological surprises’. Both sciences would further benefit from terminological streamlining to improve communication, sharing of emerging technologies, and mitigation of the taxonomic decline. The two fields are strongly affected by social perceptions and awareness by decision makers, requiring more effective engagement and translation efforts. Our exercise promotes cross-cutting interdisciplinary advances to improve understanding of fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes, socio-ecological challenges, and management efficacy across the biocontrol and invasion sciences.