Protocol for integrating vessel networks and environmental matching to inform cost-effective archipelago biosecurity
Chi T U Le1, Chad L Hewitt2, Marnie L Campbell3
1School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup Western Australia, Australia.
Abstract:
Inter-island vessel networks support economic activity but also enable secondary spread of non-native species. By integrating vessel-movement data, network analysis, and environmental matching, we present a protocol for generating a cost-effective biosecurity decision-support tool by assessing both the relative economic importance and the relative risks of species spread within a vessel traffic system. We outline steps for data curation, network construction, and sea surface temperature-based environmental similarity calculation. We then detail procedures for the translation of outputs into management recommendations. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Campbell et al.1.
