A weed risk assessment model for use as a biosecurity tool evaluating plant introductions

摘要: Abstract New plant taxa from around the world continue to be imported into Australia and Zealand. Many of these have potential become agricultural or environmental weeds this risk needs assessed before allowing their entry. A weed assessment system is described that uses information on a taxon's current status in other parts world, climate preferences, biological attributes. The designed operated by quarantine personnel via user-friendly computer interface. model was tested against experts' scores for weediness 370 present Australia, representing both useful agriculture, environment, sectors. judged its ability correctly ‘reject’ weeds, ‘accept’ non-weeds, generate low proportion which could not decisively categorised, termed ‘evaluate’. More than 70% were rejected accepted. All classified as serious most minor required further evaluation, while only 7% non-weeds rejected. modified Zealand conditions evaluated opinions several groups experts economic measures. produced score very similar mean scores. latter highly variable: agriculturalists tended accept known conservationists reject adventive taxa, botanists model. also independent value measured study. adapted use screening tool any region world.