People's Perceptions and Knowledge Gaps Might Facilitate the Spread of Invasive Plants in the Colombian High...

Biological invasions are driven by both direct and indirect factors. However, the effects of indirect drivers, such as social and cultural factors, remain underexplored in many regions worldwide, including the Neotropics. Here, we characterize the knowledge and perceptions that local communities have regarding invasive plant species, aiming to explore how sociocultural factors might influence, either positively or negatively, the biological invasions in the high-mountain ecosystems of central Colombia. We conducted a semi-structured survey, which included an open-ended question analyzed using sentiment analysis, and implemented a board game to assess both perceptions and knowledge of invasive plants already established in the Colombian high mountains. The results revealed that although half of the respondents viewed biological invasions negatively, their perceptions of 18 invasive plant species already established in the region were generally neutral or positive. This shift in perception may be linked to their knowledge level, as the results showed an accuracy rate of approximately 60% for identifying native and invasive high-mountain plant species. The average correct identification rate for invasive plants (22%) was nearly three times lower than that for native plants (70%). Notably, invasive plants with cultural or economic value are generally classified as native. Collectively, these findings suggest that neutral perceptions, alongside a lack of awareness of invasive species and the value placed on a large portion of them, may significantly contribute to the transportation, introduction, and establishment of invasive plants in the Colombian high mountain regions. Thus, incorporating the effects of sociocultural drivers into invasion management strategies may be crucial for effectively preventing their establishment and spread at both the local and regional levels.