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Contributed Talk

Session: : Invasion 3

COS 199-4 - Microbial invasions and inoculants: a call to action

Wednesday, August 9, 2023
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM PDT
Location: D137
Abstract: The use of non-genetically modified microbial inoculants for beneficial purposes in agriculture, bioremediation, medicine, and infrastructure is increasing dramatically. The intentional introduction of plants and animals for similar purposes also has a long history, but despite successes, has resulted in thousands of plant and animal species becoming invasive, with catastrophic consequences for the environment, public health, and society. Although they can provide great benefits, non-genetically modified microbial inoculants have similar potential to cause invasions; indeed, hundreds of microbial invasions are already known. However, little action has been taken to guard against the threat of microbial invasions stemming from non-genetically modified microbial inoculants. Here, we propose a unified approach to spur action. Three aims need to be addressed: developing (1) a coherent mechanistic understanding of how microbial inoculants effect invasions, (2) predictive models forecasting which microbes pose risks of invasion, and (3) effective management strategies. We detail seventeen canonical hypotheses to guide research on developing a mechanistic understanding. Quantitative trait analysis and risk maps will be key for predictive modeling. Management strategies will depend on both understanding and predictions, but prevention rather than eradication or control of invasive microbes is likely to be most effective. A preventative “guilty until proven innocent” regulatory approach should immediately be applied to inoculants, given the hazards involved. We suggest that multiple data types will be instrumental in understanding and predicting microbial invasions stemming from microbial inoculants: experimental data from microcosm and mesocosm experiments, and large-scale observational data from microbial surveillance. Both phenomenological statistical models and mechanistic models will be key in achieving the scientific, predictive, and management aims. Moreover, each stage of the invasion process -- transport, establishment, spread, and impacts -- may often need to be investigated separately. Now is the time to develop an effective research and management infrastructure for non-genetically modified microbial inoculants to avoid catastrophic outcomes similar to those caused by intentionally introduced plants and animals: in this talk, we describe a unified approach toward developing this research and management infrastructure.