module 4: responding to biological invasions

Module 4:

responding to biological invasions

Developing legal and institutional frameworks

for invasive alien species

responding to biological invasions2

what this module covers

1. policy context for response measures

2. early detection and rapid response

3. eradication, control and mitigation

4. strengthening the legal basis for response measures

5. addressing conflicts of interest

6. incentives for control and restoration

what decision-makers need to know about invasive

species

what decision-makers need to know about invasive

species Module 1Module 1

laying the foundations for effective national frameworks

laying the foundations for effective national frameworksModule 2Module 2

preventing biological invasions

preventing biological invasions Module 3Module 3

responding to biological invasions

responding to biological invasions Module 4Module 4

getting results: compliance, enforcement and liability

getting results: compliance, enforcement and liability Module 5Module 5

legal frameworks for cooperation beyond borders

legal frameworks for cooperation beyond borders Module 6Module 6


policy context for response measures

if prevention has failed, management options for IAS

(endorsed by CBD Guiding Principles) are:

• early detection and rapid response

• eradication

• control and mitigation


aim: to prevent the establishment and/or spread of introduced species, so as to prevent it from developing into a full blown biological invasion

regional collaboration and co-operation is particularly important for effective early detection and response

early detection and rapid response

Early Detection & Reporting

Early Detection & Reporting

Rapid Assessment

Rapid Assessment

Rapid Response

Rapid Response


http://100thmeridian.org/

early detection and reporting

site-specific surveys focused on:

•high-risk areas close to entry points (e.g. airports, harbours, military bases);

•high-risk pathways (e.g. adjacent to aquaculture or horticulture facilities);

•high-value areas (e.g. protected areas or commercial forests)

public awareness campaigns for major risks, especially to provide information on spread of a newly-arrived species


contingency planning for rapid response

legal frameworks to provide a formal basis for action

clearly defined institutional roles and responsibilities are critical

avoid confusion about which agency leads (e.g. where newly- discovered species has multiple impacts across different sectors)

equipment and action plans ready in advance


legal powers to support rapid response

specific measures that should be available to competent authorities: •authority to inspect and confiscate

•powers to disinfect equipment and destroy infested material

•authority to direct chemical or other control of invasive organisms and to close contaminated areas and declare quarantine zones

•authority to prohibit transfer of living material from contaminated to clean areas


eradication, control and mitigation

management strategies for established IAS populations to be based on the following sequence (CBD Guiding Principles):

• eradication = complete elimination of targeted IAS population

• control = IAS in lower numbers or densities or contained in certain areas

• mitigation = reduce the severity of IAS impacts


control techniques

four main types of IAS control: risk assessment/EIA necessary for potentially damaging techniques

• mechanical

• chemical

• biological control (see international Code of conduct for the import and release of exotic biological control agents)

• integrated control involving two or three techniques


mechanical control

clearing, cutting, catching, trapping – by hand/with tools and traps/sometimes with sophisticated machinery

highly specific, little non-target impact but often not sustainable (e.g. – plants with significant seed banks) or difficult to achieve objectives (e.g. hunting vertebrates)

highly labour-intensivemechanical clearance of Lantana camara by hand


chemical control

– often very effective short-term solution– but high costs, non-target effects, evolving resistance– e.g. bait stations against vertebrates

biological control– highly cost-effective– permanent– self-sustaining– ecologically safe due to high specificity– aim is to suppress the population below an acceptable level -

host and agent in a dynamic balance

but all control has costs

Photos by Griffin Shanungu, Pilot site coordinator, Barriers project, Zambia

mechanical clearing and burning of Mimosa pigra on the Kafue Floodplain

40 field workers worked for 17 weeks to clear 31 ha of mimosa for a total cost of $34,250 – invasion is 30,000 ha


response measures –legal considerations

– how to tackle deeply-rooted legal obstacles to eradication and control measures

– how to develop or strengthen institutional capacity and co-ordination

– how to design and plan for short and long-term responses

– obligations and incentives for to IAS control and mitigation


tackling legal obstacles to eradication and control

– legal status of IAS incompatible with control measures?

• Solution: Alien species to have legal status compatible with eradication and control measures should they become invasive

– insufficient authority to undertake control measures?

• Solution: Appropriate powers conferred upon agencies and individuals for short- and long- term IAS control (NB specifically consider legal position regarding access to private land)

– consultation with responsible agencies and stakeholders essential to ensure long-term effectiveness


necessary measures may include:

– prohibitions on further intentional and negligent releases of IAS into the natural environment

– powers for authorities to regulate the containment, possession, domestic transport and trade in IAS

– notification requirement for all land owners and occupiers to inform authorities of the presence of IAS – may go further and mandate land owners to clear plants (e.g. South Africa)

– authority for competent officials to notify, cooperate and consult with neighbouring countries on possible invasions and harmonised programmes for eradication and control

– authority for officials to use cost-recovery mechanisms or other revenues to finance eradication, control and mitigation programs


addressing conflicts of interest

• at government level

• in the community

• with the private sector

• with animal welfare groups


incentives for control and restoration

legal frameworks should combine regulatory and voluntary measures for IAS control

•local community involvement is important

•incentives may include economic benefits

•care not to create ‘perverse incentives’


restoration of native biodiversity

legal frameworks may include positive measures to conserve and enhance native biodiversity, in line

with the ecosystem approach :

measures to re-introduce or re-establish populations of native

species formerly present

measures to restore native habitats and ecosystems that

have been degraded as a result of invasion

Rodríguez Luengo/García Casanova, Gobierno de Canarias


Programme for sustainable management and control of invasive species:

Benefits for biodiversity, water security, reduction of fire and flood impacts, and productive potential of land

example of incentives for control Working for Water Programme (www.dwaf.gov.za/wfw/)

Value Added Industries Programme aims to:

- create jobs (harvesting/processing plant material);- reduce net cost of clearing;

AND- develop down-stream industries (independent or

public-private partnerships


thank youthank you

module 4: responding to biological invasions

Documents

control techniques

rapid response eradication

main types of ias control

control of invasive

effective early detection

legal basis

highrisk areas close

close contaminated areas