TRACKS: Six good practices for Non-Indigenous Species research and their SWOT evaluation

Abstract Addressing the challenges posed by Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) demands coordinated efforts across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. In this study, we engaged a diverse group of 90 Italian researchers operating within these three domains to identify and assess strategies for advancing NIS research, using a structured, interactive and expert-driven methodology. The process began with a comprehensive evaluation of ongoing activities, research methodologies and specific needs. This assessment provided information for the development of an initial set of suggestions to ameliorate NIS research, which were collectively discussed and refined, leading to the identification of six good practices identified by the acronym TRACKS and described as: i) Tracking NIS in biodiversity data collection; ii) Reference protocols for NIS data collection; iii) Active participation; iv) Collaboration and FAIR principles; v) Knowledge hub for NIS data; vi) Strategic communication. A SWOT framework was then applied to analyse the internal and external factors influencing the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats associated with each good practice. Consensus-building techniques were used throughout the evaluation process to ensure the robustness of outcomes. Finally, a quantitative assessment of the SWOT analysis revealed a strong consensus amongst experts regarding the various strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the different good practices, along with a general optimism about the opportunities and strengths associated with their implementation. Developed within the Italian research community, this approach offered valuable insights to researchers worldwide working on NIS and enabled the expert assessment of six best practices that may serve as a benchmark for advancing the science of biological invasions.