Impact assessment with different scoring tools : how well do alien amphibian assessments match?

Abstract
Classification of alien species’ impacts can aid policy making through evidence based listing and management recommendations. We highlight differences and a number of potential difficulties with two scoring tools, the Environmental Impact Classification of Alien Taxa (EICAT) and the Generic Impact Scoring System (GISS) using amphibians as a case study. Generally, GISS and EICAT assessments lead to very similar impact levels, but scores from the schemes are not equivalent. Small differences are attributable to discrepancies in the verbal descriptions for scores. Differences were found in several impact categories. While the issue of disease appears to be related to uncertainties in both schemes, hybridisation might be inflated in EICAT. We conclude that GISS scores cannot directly be translated into EICAT classifications, but they give very similar outcomes and the same literature base can be used for both schemes.
Description
CITATION: Kumschick, S., et al. 2017. Impact assessment with different scoring tools : how well do alien amphibian assessments match?. NeoBiota, 35:53-66, doi:10.3897/neobiota.33.10736.
The original publication is available at https://neobiota.pensoft.net
Keywords
Alien species, Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT), Generic Impact Scoring System (GISS), Biological invasions, Amphibians -- Listing
Citation
Kumschick, S., et al. 2017. Impact assessment with different scoring tools : how well do alien amphibian assessments match?. NeoBiota, 35:53-66, doi:10.3897/neobiota.33.10736