PathwayType

The PathwayType element is a LocationSpecificlFacts/Biostatus sub-element. It can be used for either Introduction or Dispersal. Users can decide which element is more appropriate depending on the political and spatial context of their data. Introduction information is usually the focus of preventative biosecurity measures whereas Dispersal information is more often the focus of management measures. The Introduction and Dispersal elements contain Date, Vector, Cause, Route, Type (e.g. intentional or unintentional), InitialPopulationSize and ProjectOrCaseStudy elements.

The Cause, Route and Vector structure came from Carlton and Ruiz (2003). ‘Cause’ is why a species is transported, whether accidentally or deliberately, ‘Vector’ is how a species is transported, that is, the physical means or agent, and ‘Route’ is the geographic path over which a species is transported from the origin (donor area) to the destination (target area). The Route element contains To, From, Corridor, and Distance sub-elements.

The PathwayType element might be further improved with the inclusion of 3 other elements identified by Carlton and Ruiz (2003). They are VectorTempo; i.e. how a given vector operates through time, in terms of size and rate, speed, and timing, VectorBiota; i.e. description of the biota (the propagules) transferred by a given vector, in terms of diversity, density, and condition, and VectorStrength; the relative number or rate of established invasions that result within a specified time period from a given vector in a particular geographic region. -- Michael.Browne