The rate of alien species introduction is on the rise and seems unstoppable at a global scale. Once an alien species has been introduced to a new system, early detection and rapid eradication is the only cost-effective alternative to containment and long-term control. Here, we provide an integrative approach combining three sources of information to assist the management of invasive alien species. We used the Asian clam Corbicula sp. invasion in the Lower Danube as a model. First, the reference distribution data for the species was obtained through a crowdsourcing campaign, including a bibliographic review, public repositories and unpublished data. Next, we weighted the importance of different introduction pathways and dispersal vectors, focusing on the opinion and experience of an expert panel. Finally, information retrieved with semi-structured interviews was contrasted against the present distribution of the species. The expert panel highlighted the opening of the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal in 1992 as the most probable pathway of Corbicula introduction in the Lower Danube. However, the bibliographic review and interviews pointed to an earlier introduction event throughout the Danube Delta. In the subsequent spread phase, all three sources of information refer to zoochory, but also human mediated activities, as the vectors responsible for Corbicula dispersal to Danube tributaries. Our study presents a methodology on how expert opinion and traditional ecological knowledge can be effectively integrated to identify introduction pathways and dispersal vectors that facilitate the spread of invasive alien species. This approach can be used for enhancing collaboration between academic and research institutions and for raising stakeholders’ awareness to be used in management.

外来物种的引进率正在上升，并且在全球范围内似乎不可阻挡。将外来物种引入新系统后，及早发现和快速根除是围堵和长期控制的唯一具有成本效益的选择。在这里，我们提供了一种综合方法，将三种信息来源相结合，以协助管理外来入侵物种。我们用亚洲蛤CorCorbiculasp。以入侵多瑙河为模型。首先，通过众包活动获得了该物种的参考分布数据，包括书目审查，公共资源库和未公开的数据。接下来，我们将重点介绍不同引入途径和传播媒介的重要性，重点是专家小组的意见和经验。最后，将通过半结构化访谈获得的信息与该物种的当前分布进行了对比。专家小组强调了1992年莱茵河-美因河-多瑙河运河的通航，这是Corbicula最可能的出路下多瑙河的介绍。但是，书目审查和访谈指出了整个多瑙河三角洲较早的介绍活动。在随后的传播阶段，所有这三个信息源都涉及动物共生，也涉及人类介导的活动，这是导致Corbicula向多瑙河支流扩散的媒介。我们的研究提出了一种方法，该方法可以有效地整合专家意见和传统生态知识，以识别促进外来入侵物种扩散的引入途径和传播媒介。此方法可用于增强学术机构与研究机构之间的协作，以及提高利益相关者在管理中使用的意识。