Invasive Alien Species: Invasive Alien Species: Forging a PartnershipForging a Partnership

NetworkNetwork____________

Gabriela ChavarriaGabriela Chavarria

National Wildlife Federation (NWF)National Wildlife Federation (NWF)

Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP)Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP)

Levetin and McMahon, 1996

The Global SupermarketThe Global Supermarketand other thingsand other things

Lufthansa

The Problem DefinedThe Problem Defined

““Alien Species”Alien Species”

““any species that is not any species that is not native to a specific native to a specific ecosystem”ecosystem”

exotic, non-native, non-indigenousexotic, non-native, non-indigenous

The Problem DefinedThe Problem Defined

““Invasive Species”Invasive Species”

““an alien species whose introduction does or an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause econ. or environmental is likely to cause econ. or environmental harm or harm to human health”harm or harm to human health” invasive alien species, alien invasive speciesinvasive alien species, alien invasive species

The Problem DefinedThe Problem Defined

““Vectors”Vectors”““the means by the means by which an invasive which an invasive species is moved”species is moved”

modesmodes

Freight Solutions Int’l.

The Problem DefinedThe Problem Defined

““Pathways”Pathways”““the routes along the routes along

which an invasive which an invasive species is moved”species is moved”

The Problem DefinedThe Problem Defined

““Intentional Intentional IntroductionIntroduction””

““Unintentional Unintentional Introduction”Introduction”

USGS

““Stowaways” “Hitchhikers”Stowaways” “Hitchhikers”

Causes - Global ChangesCauses - Global Changes

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate ChangeLand Use ChangeLand Use Change

Consequences - EnvironmentalConsequences - Environmental

Invasive species are among Invasive species are among the top drivers of the top drivers of environmental change environmental change globally (Sala et al. globally (Sala et al. 2000). 2000).

At risk:At risk:

• BiodiversityBiodiversity

• Ecosystem ServicesEcosystem Services

• Sustainable Sustainable Development (SIDS)Development (SIDS)

Consequences - EconomicConsequences - Economic

Losses to agriculture globally: Losses to agriculture globally: $55-248 billion/year.$55-248 billion/year.

Costs to U.S. estimated to be Costs to U.S. estimated to be at least $100 billion/year at least $100 billion/year (Pimentel et al. 2000).(Pimentel et al. 2000).

Introduced from Latin America as Introduced from Latin America as a high protein food source, the a high protein food source, the golden apple snail caused losses to golden apple snail caused losses to Philippine rice crops during the Philippine rice crops during the 1980’s of @ $1 billion (Naylor 1980’s of @ $1 billion (Naylor 1996).1996).

Consequences - Human HealthConsequences - Human Health

Disease epidemicsDisease epidemics

Increased pesticide useIncreased pesticide use

Food and water shortagesFood and water shortages

Consequences - PoliticalConsequences - Political

Barriers to Barriers to international trade international trade and economic and economic growthgrowth Freight Solutions Int’l.

Invasive alien species could prevent Invasive alien species could prevent governments and industries from:governments and industries from:

• Selling some types of food products Selling some types of food products

• Selling “living” commoditiesSelling “living” commodities

• Using certain kinds of containersUsing certain kinds of containers

Consequences - PoliticalConsequences - Political

BiosecurityBiosecurityDeliberate attacks Deliberate attacks using biological using biological agentsagents

• HumansHumans

• WildlifeWildlife

• Domestic animals andDomestic animals andagricultureagriculture

International InstrumentsInternational InstrumentsLegally BindingLegally Binding

For example:For example:

Convention on Biological Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD; 1992)Diversity (CBD; 1992)

Article 8 (h): Prevent the Article 8 (h): Prevent the introduction of, control introduction of, control or eradicate those alien or eradicate those alien species which threaten species which threaten ecosystems, habitats, or ecosystems, habitats, or species.species.

• Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles• Work PlanWork Plan

There are more than 40 There are more than 40 int’l agreements, as well int’l agreements, as well as numerous “soft law” as numerous “soft law” tools that address tools that address invasive species.invasive species.

International CooperationInternational CooperationThe Global Invasive Species Programme The Global Invasive Species Programme

Informing policy Informing policy and translating and translating

policy into practicepolicy into practice

IUCN - CABI - SCOPEIUCN - CABI - SCOPE

IISD www.jasper.stanford.edu/GISPwww.jasper.stanford.edu/GISP

GISP Phase I ProductsGISP Phase I Products

GISP PARTNERSHIP GISP PARTNERSHIP FOR ACTIONFOR ACTION

Call to ActionCall to Action signatures signatures

• GovernmentsGovernments• Academic InstitutionsAcademic Institutions• IndustriesIndustries• NGOsNGOs• ConventionsConventions

Other PartnershipsOther Partnerships• Donor AgenciesDonor Agencies

Phase II ProgramPhase II Program

1. Nat’l/Reg. Capacity Building1. Nat’l/Reg. Capacity Building

2. Comm., Educ., & Outreach2. Comm., Educ., & Outreach

3. Information Management3. Information Management

4. Pathway Management4. Pathway Management

5. Assessment and Evaluation5. Assessment and Evaluation

6. Law and Policy6. Law and Policy