Landscape Drivers Influence the Efficiency of Management of Aquatic Invasive Alien Rodents in Western France
, Manon Bonnet 1,2, Ewen Marchand 1, Clément Harmange 1, Sandro Bertolino 3, Alain Pagano 1, Damien Picard 1, Xavier Grillo 4 and Antonin Grimault-Frémy 5Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authorsplease find my remarks in the attached pdf file
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Dear reviewer. Our response is in the attached.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe article is devoted to a current topic, as invasive mammals have a significant impact on coastal ecosystems, damage biodiversity, are carriers of diseases, affect vegetation, forest restoration, displace native species (for example, muskrat), while being the object of fishing and resources.
The authors note that the removal of significant numbers of animals may give local authorities and stakeholders the impression that control efforts are successful. However, removing large numbers of animals is not always successful in controlling invasive species.
- I think that the maximum seizure probably corresponds to the peak of the population. At the same time, the maximum effect of trapping measures is possible at low numbers and during the period
The authors rightly note, “However, removal of large numbers of animals may not necessarily indicate successful control.”
Recommendations.
- It is necessary to provide an explanation, the line “Figure 2. Temporal dynamics of the number of aquatic invasive alien rodents (AIAR) removed in the study area from 2007 to 2022” or provide data separately for each species. The term “of the number”, in this case, characterizes the volume of animals caught.
- It is necessary to zoning the territory of municipalities, according to the assessment of the number of muskrats and nutria, according to the degree of impact on biological diversity.
Comment.
1. It has been established that population restrictions are based on intensive fishing. It is necessary to additionally remove animals during natural declines in numbers, taking into account factors such as drying out of reservoirs.
2. In addition to annual trapping activities, it is necessary to take into account fluctuations in the number of animals, i.e. In addition to catching measures, monitoring of the number of invasive species is necessary.
3. When catching, it is necessary to take into account the degree of transformation of forest areas, biological features, including migration, the role of predators and food supply.
However, the authors’ data do not establish the dependence of catches on the density of watercourses, coastal vegetation and water infrastructure, nor the number of settlements, grain crops and pastures in each municipality.
On the other hand, according to published data, these factors influence the number, which requires additional analysis, since catch data does not always reflect the real number.
Author Response
Dear reviewer. Our response is in the attached
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors have done significant work to improve the publication manuscript. According to remark No. 1, in other words, it is necessary to compare high rates of animal capture with factors influencing numbers, for example, hydrological regime. Perhaps, during periods of low water, it is necessary to increase the cost of catching these animals - with a possible decrease in numbers. I recommend the manuscript for publication.
Author Response
See attached
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
