Stakeholder survey reveals priorities for African boxthorn biocontrol research in Australia

摘要

Insufficient engagement with stakeholders and regulators has been identified as a limiting factor for effective adoption of biocontrol globally. A survey was conducted to engage stakeholders affected by African boxthorn, to ask them about their perceived impacts of the weed and management expectations from biocontrol. Management objectives gleaned from the survey now guide selection and evaluation of candidate biocontrol agents for African boxthorn in Australia. Surveys such as this are an inexpensive way to understand how biocontrol can most effectively intersect with stakeholder perceptions and management priorities, and are likely to facilitate the acceptance and adoption of biocontrol.