judy fisher
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Relevance of invasive species information management tools for policy development and effective management. Judy Fisher. Biodiversity Information Community for Invasive Species Who should/could be the users of Information Tools? Policy Developers / Politicians Governments - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Relevance of invasive species information management tools for policy development and effective management
Judy Fisher
Biodiversity Information Community for Invasive Species
Who should/could be the users of Information Tools?
•Policy Developers / Politicians
•Governments
•Funders of Invasive Species management
•Scientists
•Restoration Ecologists
•Biodiversity land managers
•Community land managers
Why do we need Biodiversity Information Tools for Invasive Species ?
Transformation of ecosystems through invasion is seen as one of the major threats to the world’s biodiversity
(Millenium Ecosystem Assessment 2005)
Invaders threaten biodiversity to the same degree as:• human transformation of ecosystems and • production of green house gases (Sala et al 2000)
2010Global international biodiversity targets aim to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of loss of biodiversity. Instrumental to this is the prevention, control and eradication of invasive species (Convention on Biological Diversity 2003)
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005)
“…tackling the drivers of biodiversity loss in an integrated manner is much more likely to achieve the 2010 targets than tackling them independently”
What are the implications for data provision through Information Management Tools to assist an integrated approach to tackle the invasive species driver?
Case Study Biodiversity Hot Spot
Causes and consequences of invasion in a Biodiversity Hotspot:
Implications for Information Management Tools
The hypothesis:
Invasion of Banksia woodland by the introduced species Ehrharta calycina and Pelargonium capitatum is accompanied by an alteration in ecosystem properties and processes
(CONSEQUENCES)
whereby the degree of change is related to fire frequency and abundance of introduced species
(CAUSES)
Banksia woodland Complex species–rich natural ecosystem major vegetation type of SW Aust coastal sandplain 15 to 90 km inland
400 kms along the coast
Banksia attenuata Banksia menziesii
Banksia woodland6-8 metre
scattered Eucalyptus gomphocephala 30 metres
diverse shrub under-storey
ECOSYSTEM RESEARCHBanksia Woodland
Soil seedbank Soil compaction, moisture Vegetation cover Soil nutrientsLeaf nutrients Disturbance historyInvertebrates Environmental factors
Good condition Medium condition
Ehrharta calycina Pelargonium capitatum
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
GC MC PCe PCp
Vegetation condition
Ger
min
ants
m-2
Native species
Introduced species
a
bb b
AB
A
A
B
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
GC MC PCe PCp
Vegetation condition
Mea
n ac
cum
ulat
ed c
over
Introduced species
Native species
16.5
15
20
37.5
18
11.5
14
19.5
a
ab
b b
Vegetation Cover
Summary- analysed data
Soil seed bank seeds/m-2
Summary - analysed data
Appendix A.1 litter germinants m -2 0-5 cm germinants m -2 5-10 cm germinants m -2
NATIVE SPECIES FR GC1 GC2 MC1 MC2 Pce1 PCe2 PCp1 PCp2 GC1 GC2 MC1 MC2 PCe1 PCe2 PCp1 PCp2 GC1 GC2 MC1 MC2 PCe1 PCe2 PCp1 PCp2
Acacia pulchella S 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 9.2 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 4.6 0 0
Anigozanthus manglesii S 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 32.3 0 36.9 0 23.1 69.2 0 0 23.1 0 4.6 4.6 4.6 0
Austrostipa compressa S 0 396.8 9.2 18.5 0 0 0 0 239.9 747.5 9.2 36.9 9.2 9.2 0 36.9 46.1 166.1 9.2 4.6 0 0 0 0
**'Austrostipa flavescens R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0
**Calandrinia liniflora S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 4.6 4.6 4.6 0 0 4.6 0 18.5 4.6 4.6 0 0 18.5
Calothamnus quadrifidus R 0 4.6 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Conostylis aculeata R 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 110.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 83.1 0 0 0 0
Conostylis setigera R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 55.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Conostylis candicans R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18.46 0 0 0 0
Corynotheca micrantha R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Desmocladus flexuosa R 0 9.2 0 13.8 0 0 0 0 0 46.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 0
**'Dichisma arenaria S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ficinia nodosa R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0
Gastrolobium capitatum S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gonocarpus pithyoides R 18.5 0 27.7 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 198.4 0 0 0 13.8 4.6 4.6 0 55.4 0 9.2 9.2 0 0
Hardenbergia comptoniana R 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hovea trisperma S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 23.1 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0
Isotropis cuneifolia R 0 0 4.6 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
**'J uncus bufonis S 9.2 0 0 0 0 13.8 0 0 166.1 0 193.8 0 124.6 23.1 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 4.6 4.6 0
Lobelia tenuior S 0 0 13.8 0 0 0 4.6 0 13.8 0 124.6 0 13.8 13.8 18.5 13.8 69.2 0 55.4 0 9.2 4.6 0 0
Microtis media R 0 0 9.2 0 4.6 0 4.6 0 0 0 64.6 0 9.2 27.7 78.4 69.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0
Ozothamnus cordatus S 18.5 0 9.2 4.6 9.2 9.2 0 0 69.2 0 41.5 78.4 18.5 41.5 78.4 13.8 4.6 0 0 9.2 4.6 0 9.2 13.8
P etrophile linearis R 0 18.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
**'P oranthera microphylla S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 73.8 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 41.5 0 32.3 0 0 0 0
Scaevola anchusifolia R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27.7 0 0 0 0
Scaevola canescens R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0
**Scaevola thesioides R 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 87.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 78.4 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stirlingia latifolia R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 4.6 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stylidium repens S 36.9 27.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 373.7 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 4.6 9.2 0 0 0 4.6 0
**'Stylidium striatum S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Thysanotus sparteus R 0 9.2 0 18.5 0 0 0 0 4.6 60.0 0 0 4.6 0 4.6 4.6 4.6 0.00 9.2 0 0 4.6 0 78.4
Trachymene pilosa S 55.4 120.0 46.1 0 0 0 0 0 253.8 1162.7 120.0 0 0 0 0 50.8 32.3 221.5 27.7 4.6 18.5 4.6 0 0
**Whalenbergia capensis S 0 13.8 0 96.9 0 0 0 0 0 96.9 0 659.8 0 0 0 0 0 32.3 0 9.2 0 0 0 0
Xanthosia huegelii S 9.2 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 129.2 175.3 0 18.5 4.6 0 0 0 41.5 4.61 0 0 0 0 0 0
Summary of native seed bank data, more detailed information than in summarised analysed data in previous seed bank graph
0102030405060708090
100
GC PCe PCp
Vegetation condition
P (
To
tal) (
mg
kg
-1)
Total species
ab
c
Mean P(Total) (mg kg-1) in the soil (5cm) beneath native and introduced species in different vegetation conditions in Banksia woodland, Bold Park
Soil one component of summarised/analysed soil data, 60 samples x 8 variables tested, 3 conditions x 2
Mean P (mg/kg-1) leaf concentrations (all species combined) for native and weed species at sites (n=2) in varying condition in Banksia woodland, Bold Park, Perth
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
Good Condition (GC) Poor Ehrharta calycina (PCe) Poor Pelargonium capitatum(PCp)
Vegetation Condition
P (
mg
/kg
-1)
Native species
Weed species
b
B a
A
a
A
Leaf data Graph one nutrient Phosphorus10 species x 4 replicates, 3 conditions x 2 replicates, 9 nutrients = 240 sets of data
CAUSES
Statistical significance of the effect of number of fire events (1963-2000) on vegetation variables in Banksia woodland, southwestern Australia.
Source df Veg. Cover Richness Diversity
of variation
Cond. Total Native Intro. Total Native Intro. Total Native Intro.
Fire Events
2 0.003*
0.055 0.012*
0.130 0.003*
0.007*
0.838 0.150 0.007*
0.194
Residual 5
Total 7
Various plots (scatter, histograms, and normal probability) of the residuals were examined to ensure assumptions were met
Fire Frequency
12345678
Bold ParkNumber of fires 1963-2000
384500383000
64
64
00
06
46
55
00
384500383000
-150000
-100000
-50000
0
50000
100000
Number of f ire events
Are
a in
sq
met
res
Canopy Gain
Canopy Loss
Relationship between number of fire events and canopy change
Canopy and Fire Frequency
Bold Park Canopy Cover 1963 Bold Park Canopy Cover 2000
Good condition
Medium Condition
Poor Ehrharta calycina
Poor Pelargonium capitatum
Shade
Light
Solutions
How do we utilise invasion mechanisms
FIRE and SEED BANK
to achieve clever and sustainable
management interventions?
0
20
40
60
80
100
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Time in w eeks
No.
of g
erm
inan
ts/ l
itter
Native
Introduced 0
20
40
60
80
100
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Time in w eeks
No
. o
f g
erm
ina
nts
/ 0
-5c
m
Native
Introduced
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
litter 0-5 cm 5-10 cm
Soil depthG
erm
inan
ts m
-2
Native Introduced
a
b
a
A A
B
Soil seed bank Germinants by depth
Timing of germination
Ehrharta calycina - Seed density by depth at sites with differing fire histories
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
30004
mth
spo
st fi
re
18 m
ths
post
fire
>8 y
rspo
st fi
re
Goo
dC
ondi
tion
Site type
Seed
s/m
2 litter
0-5 cm
5-10 cm
Study Conclusion
Understanding causes and
consequences of invasion
provides opportunities for creative
management to mitigate past and
adapt to future disturbance
Consequences
Limited native soil seed bank
Very large invasive seed bankAltered vegetation structure and compositionIncreased soil and leaf phosphorusReduced canopyIncreased lightLess shade
PLUS Altered climatic conditions
Increased temperature Less rainfall
Biodiversity / Invasive Species Information Management Tools can tell us which species are most likely to survive in the new ecosystem conditions created by frequent fire and invasion ?
Utilise species adapted to new conditions
Potential assisted
migration
Example
Invasive Species Scientist C M D’Antonio (California)
Visited Perth-invasion of Ehrharta calycina California (Fire)
How to manage the transformer, fire enhancing species ?
Had knowledge from Western Australian research been available through an
Invasive/ Biodiversity Information Tool
• Rapid knowledge access providing Invasive Species Solutions
• Prevent very slow re invention of the wheel
• Reduce the loss of Biodiversity due to Invasive Species
As a potential user of an integrated Biodiversity/ Invasive Species Information Tool, in addition to scientific knowledge for adaptive management, I would like the tool to help me:
Convince decision makers that Biodiversity is valuable and essential to our future
Convince decision makers that biodiversity must be maintained
Convince decision makers that invasive species have a detrimental impact on our biodiversity
Convince decision makers there is an economic advantage to investing in restoration to ensure biodiverse systems dominate invasive species
And then when we have persuaded
the decision makers
I want to ensure the economic investment
in maintaining, protecting and restoring
our biodiversity is effective and
leads to reduced loss of biodiversity due to invasion
TOOL
When developing standards lets consider how the data bases can most effectively maintain and reduce
biodiversity loss
We don’t have forever to halt the loss of biodiversity
Change is occurring in an increasingly rapid rate
To slow the loss of diversity we need as much global information as possible
NOW
The world’s economic decline may provide unforseen opportunities to better manage and maintain our biodiversity
Without active up to date tools we may miss this window of opportunity and lose our biodiversity before the tools are ready to
help us tackle their loss
Overall Aim of the Tool
Halt the Loss of Biodiversity
Lets hope we do not loose too much
Biodiversity
while we are developing the tools
Acknowledgements:
Research utilized in this talk was conducted whilst a doctoral student with the School of Plant Biology,University of Western Australia with support from the Perth Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
Judy [email protected] 984 091Fisher Research Pty LtdPO Box 169FloreatPerth Western Australia 6014