To be, or not to be, a non-native species in non-English languages: gauging terminological consensus amongst invasion biologists

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F46747885%3A24510%2F25%3A00014137" target="_blank" >RIV/46747885:24510/25:00014137 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00935/104688/" target="_blank" >https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00935/104688/</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2025.16.1.02" target="_blank" >10.3391/mbi.2025.16.1.02</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

To be, or not to be, a non-native species in non-English languages: gauging terminological consensus amongst invasion biologists

Original language description

In invasion biology, terminological frameworks contribute to the improvement of effective communication among scientists, stakeholders, and policy-makers. This is important not only for informing policy decisions but also for engaging the broader public in understanding the risks associated with biological invasions. Meanwhile, the role of non-English languages in advancing knowledge in invasion biology has gained momentum in recent years. Building on the seminal contributions in this scientific discipline by Professor Gordon H. Copp, this paper examines the provision of three key terms defining species invasiveness in 28 non-English languages. We first refine the standardized terminology for invasion biology recently proposed in a review paper by defining the three non-redundant terms “non-native species”, “established species”, and “invasive species”. Through a comparative analysis of the equivalent of these terms in the 28 non-English languages, as contributed by our panel of invasion biologists and native speakers, with those in the reference review paper, and following the diffusion-of-English versus ecology-of-language paradigms, we identify discrepancies and nuances reflecting the dynamic nature of terminology in invasion biology. While some languages showed consensus in terminology, others differed due to either the avoidance of a culturally or politically laden term for “non-native” or the achievement of greater precision in meaning. Our findings highlight the requirement for clear and precise terminology in invasion biology and suggest the adoption of multidisciplinary approaches to reach consensus and facilitate communication amongst scientists, policy-makers, and the general public in a globally interconnected and rapidly changing world. This will enhance international collaboration and accelerate knowledge exchange, leading to more effective management of biological invasions.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10619 - Biodiversity conservation

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Management of biological invasions>

ISSN

1989-8649

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

16

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1

Country of publishing house

FI - FINLAND

Number of pages

17

Pages from-to

15-31

UT code for WoS article

001402672000002

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85216115050