On 18–19 May 2026, the first GuardIAS best practice workshop on Invasive Freshwater Plant Management received over 30 European participants in Ghent, Belgium.
This workshop is one of a series of thematic workshops, aiming to unite site managers, practitioners and scientists around the management of invasive plants of freshwater ecosystems.
Through a series of presentations and discussions, field experiences and techniques were shared and common challenges were identified.
The workshop also marked the beginning of a European Community of Practice, intended to help bridge the gap between science and on-the-ground management. Prof. Peter Robertson assisted in identifying much needed innovations for management to be taken up for R&D in cocreation with business and stakeholders.
During the workshop, Prof. Jonathan Jeschkes team performed an interactive exercise on causal loop diagrams and social ecological networks around feshwater plant management which can help address the “human factor” in IAS management.
On the second day, we profited from the expertise of the network to gain management advice on the largest Belgian population of Manchurian wild rice (Zizania latifolia), an emerging alien species with serious potential impacts on water management and ecosystems. Drawing on the expertise within the network, the group exchanged practical management advice and discussed future monitoring and control strategies.
