A unified definition of biosecurity.

Ecological impact of phytoinvasions in Ukraine

Invasive alien species and planetary and global health policy

In this chapter we learned how two other international agreements - the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety - intersect with the IPPC and the SPS Agreement. Specifically, invasive alien species (under the CBD) and LMOs (under the CP) may fall under the scope of the IPPC when those organisms act as plant pests. In cases where either an invasive alien species or an LMO meet the definition for a pest under the IPPC, then IPPCs processes apply, including the application of ISPMs. In particular, the IPPC is recognized by all of the agreements as the authoritative source for guidance on conducting risk analysis for plant pests. Thus, pest risk analysis methods described in ISPMs No. 2 and 11 (and in this text) can also be used to analyse risks associated with invasive alien species and LMOs. The conduct of risk analysis for these organisms supports the aims of the IPPC (protecting plant health), the CBD (protection biological diversity) and the CP (concerned with the safe transboundary movement of LMOs).

How to communicate on pests and invasive alien plants? Conclusions of the EPPO/CoE/IUCN‐ ISSG/DGAV/UC/ESAC Workshop

Many biological invasions result in negative impacts on the environment and human livelihoods, but simultaneously some also provide benefits that are valued differently by various stakeholders. To inform policy and management of invasive species it is important to assess landowners’ and broader society’s knowledge and perceptions of invasive species, something which is lacking in many contexts, especially in urban settings. In this study we interviewed 153 householders living in a medium-sized South African town who had declared invasive alien trees in their gardens. Less than half of the respondents could identify the invasive tree on their property and only one-third knew that it was an invasive alien species. There was a positive association between income and education levels with exposure to media about invasive alien species and respondents’ ability to identify the species and name any other invasive alien tree species. Knowledge levels were unequal across species. Amongst those who knew the tree was an invasive alien species, reasons why they retained it in their gardens included that it would be costly or too much effort to remove, they liked the tree, that it was not causing any harm and that the property was rented and so its removal was not their responsibility. However, the majority of people (83 %) were willing to have it removed from their garden if done for free by appropriate agencies, which is promising for compliance with new regulations on invasive species implemented at the end of 2014 in South Africa. The results also highlight the need for targeted and appropriate education and awareness programs amongst urban householders on invasive alien species, relevant legislation and their obligations.

Five major invasive alien tree species in European Union forest habitat types of the Alpine and Continental biogeographical regions

One of the primary tools for raising awareness on biological invasions has been the publication of species accounts of the most prominent alien invaders. Until now such compilations have been available only for particular taxa, biomes and/or regions (Cronk and Fuller 2001; Weber 2003; Weidema 2000). In Europe, species accounts for selected invasive species have been published for a few countries or regions: the Czech Republic (Mlíkovský and Stýblo 2006), France (Pascal et al. 2006), Italy (Andreotti et al. 2001; Scalera 2001), Spain (Capdevila-Argüelles and Zilletti 2006); the Mediterranean Sea (CIESM 2007), and the North European and Baltic region (Gollasch et al. 1999; NOBANIS 2007). These accounts highlight invasive alien species which cause significant harm to biological diversity, socio-economic values and human health in these regions. The main purpose of these accounts is to provide guidance to environmental managers and raise public awareness of the biological, ecological and socio-economic impacts of the most harmful invaders, together with a description of the main management options to prevent their spread and reduce their impacts. The importance of the role of such tools has been clearly shown by the IUCN's 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Species list (Love et al. 2000) which has been very influential in raising awareness and supporting the development of policy conservation instruments relevant to biological invasions (Shine et al. 2000). The European Environmental Agency has produced, within the SEBI 2010 project, a list of the worst invasive alien species threatening biological diversity in Europe (EEA 2007). This list contributes to the general indicator of changes in biological diversity caused by invasive alien species. The SEBI 2010 list is primarily a means to communicate the issue of invasive species to policymakers, stakeholders and the general public. The selection of the 168 species on the list was carried out in an open consultative process with an expert group, the scientific community and national environmental authorities. The main criterion used for selection was that the species have a serious impact on biological diversity at the regional level. Serious impact implies that the species has severe effects on ecosystem structure and function, it can replace native species throughout a significant proportion of its range, it can hybridise with native species or threaten biodiversity. In addition, the species can have negative consequences for human activities, health and/or economic interests.

The Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS) presents validated and verified checklists (inventories) of introduced (alien) and invasive alien species at the country, territory, and associated island level. Phase 1 of the project focused on developing validated and verified checklists of countries that are Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Phase 2 which is on-going, aims to achieve global coverage including non-party countries and all overseas territories of countries e.g. Netherlands, France and United Kingdom. Species belonging to all Kingdoms are covered as well as occurring in all Environment/systems. Country/ Territory/ Island checklists are reviewed and verified by networks of country or species experts. Verified checklists/ species records as well as those under review are presented on the online GRIIS website (www.griis.org). Individual species records are flagged with a ‘yes’ for verification. Only verified checklists/ species records are presented on the GBIF Portal. This annotated checklist is of introduced (alien) and invasive alien species known to occur in Barbados

Invasive alien species (IAS) continue to shape the global landscape through their effects on biological diversity and agricultural productivity. The effects are particularly pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has seen the arrival of many IAS in recent years. This has been attributed to porous borders, weak cross border biosecurity, and inadequate capacity to limit or stop invasions. Prediction and early detection of IAS, as well as mechanisms of containment and eradication, are needed in the fight against this global threat. Horizon scanning is an approach that enables gathering of information on risk and impact that can support IAS management. A study was conducted in Ghana to establish two ranked lists of potential invasive alien plant pest species that could be harmful to agriculture, forestry, and the environment, and to rank them according to their potential threat. The ultimate objective was to enable prioritization of actions including pest risk analysis, prevention, surveillance and contingency plans. Prioritisation was carried out using an adapted version of horizon scanning and consensus methods developed for ranking IAS worldwide. Following a horizon scan of invasive alien species not yet officially present in Ghana, a total of 110 arthropod and 64 pathogenic species were assessed through a simplified pest risk assessment. Sixteen species, of which 14 were arthropods and two pathogens, had not been recorded on the African continent at the time of assessment. The species recorded in Africa included 19 arthropod and 46 pathogenic species which were already recorded in the neighbouring countries of Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. The majority of arthropod species were likely to arrive as contaminants on commodities, followed by a sizable number which were likely to arrive as stowaways, while some species were capable of long distance dispersal unaided. The main actions suggested for species that scored highly included full pest risk analyses and, for species recorded in neighbouring countries, surveys to determine their presence in Ghana were recommended.

Across the continents, plant invasion is identified as one of the main threats to ecosystem functioning and stability. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the differences in the functional traits between invasive alien (Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) and Lantana camara L.) and native (Berberis asiatica Roxb. Ex DC., Pyracantha crenulata (D. Don.) M. Roemer and Rubus ellipticus Sm.) shrub species of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) forest in the central Himalaya. Three 0.5 hectare chir pine forest stands were selected and individuals of similar diameter were tagged for comparative studies of leaf traits, growth pattern, and biomass accumulation in structural organs of each invasive alien and native species. Our one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test results showed that both the invasive alien species have significantly (p < 0.05) higher SLA, LWC, total chlorophyll content, foliar nutrient (N and P), RGR, LMR, SMR, nutrient uptake, and nutrient use efficiencies than native species. Leaf litter decomposition rate and nutrient release were also significantly (p < 0.05) higher in both the invasive alien species. Native species, R. ellipticus, shared some of the traits, such as leaf area, chlorophyll content, RGR, LAR, LMR, and nutrient uptake efficiency with invasive alien species. The majority of traits differed among invasive alien and native species, implying that the success of invasive alien species is best described by being functionally distinct from native species. These findings indicate that invasive alien species had advanced functional traits which may be playing an important role in a rapid spread in the central Himalaya.

The Country Compendium of the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS) is a collation of data across 196 individual country checklists of alien species, along with a designation of those species with evidence of impact at a country level. The Compendium provides a baseline for monitoring the distribution and invasion status of all major taxonomic groups, and can be used for the purpose of global analyses of introduced (alien, non-native, exotic) and invasive species (invasive alien species), including regional, single and multi-species taxon assessments and comparisons. It enables exploration of gaps and inferred absences of species across countries, and also provides one means for updating individual GRIIS Checklists. The Country Compendium is, for example, instrumental, along with data on first records of introduction, for assessing and reporting on invasive alien species targets, including for the Convention on Biological Diversity and Sustainable Development Goals. The GRIIS Country Compendium provides a baseline and mechanism for tracking the spread of introduced and invasive alien species across countries globally.Design Type(s)Data integration objective ● Observation designMeasurement Type(s)Alien species occurrence ● Evidence of impact invasive alien species assessment objectiveTechnology Type(s)Agent expert ● Data collationFactor Type(s)Geographic location ● Origin / provenance ● HabitatSample Characteristics - OrganismAnimalia ● Bacteria ● Chromista ● Fungi ● Plantae ● Protista (Protozoa) ● VirusesSample Characteristics - LocationGlobal countries

From the Book: The sudden appearance of cases of both cutaneous and inhalational anthrax following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 raised for the first time the very real and frightening specter of bioterrorism on U.S. soil. Although investigators have not found any connection between the September 11 terrorists and the anthrax-laced letters, there is no question that certain individuals, whether domestic or foreign, intentionally sought to spread the deadly anthrax bacteria through the mail. Agencies of the federal government, including the FBI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, immediately moved into high gear to identify the source and potential impact of anthrax on the population at large. Little historic and epidemiologic experience existed regarding anthrax as a biological weapon, other than simulated studies and laboratory research at secret military installations in the U.S., Russia, and certain other countries, both friendly and hostile. Biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction have been on the drawing boards for many years, even in the U.S., while international commissions have sought to outlaw their existence. What the public has not been prepared for is the actual deployment of these weapons in the U.S., and the corresponding public health, social, and psychological impact of these weapons. The purpose of this book is to bring together the extensive resources that now exist, both organizational and informational, in the bioterrorism and public health arenas. The unique focus of this book is its directory section of more than 500 Web sites covering government agencies, organizations, research centers, and clinical and public health information sources. Enhancing this content is material from the new federal Office of Public Health Preparedness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Studies. We hope our readers will find this compilation useful from several points of view. General information is available on bioterrorism, including biological, chemical, agricultural, and waterborne biowarfare. Readers will also find Web sites posting the latest news and developments, along with online newsletters from federal and public health agencies related to bioterrorism and homeland security. Policymakers will find resources on public policy guidelines, conventions, analysis, and legislation, while emergency response professionals will find sections on public preparedness and response, hazardous materials, and decontamination. Information on specific infectious diseases associated with bioterrorism will be of interest to clinicians and epidemiologists, accompanied by disease management guidelines and consensus statements. A section specific to mental health is also included. Consumer-oriented information includes guidelines for personal health and safety and disaster readiness, as well as listings of hotlines, mailing lists, and alerting services. Finally, public health professionals will find a variety of resources covering educational opportunities, implementation of public health response plans, and conferences and symposia. Overall, we believe that this guidebook will be a useful resource for many different audiences, and that it will serve as an educational guide for the American public as we face these new challenges as a nation. —Daniel R. Goldenson, Publisher

Gene drives are genetic modifications designed for rapidly diffusing traits throughout a target population. They are currently being proposed as biological control agents to combat, for instance, invasive alien species and disease vectors. They also raise concerns regarding their potential adverse effects on biological diversity. This text assesses gene drive governance under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. While gene drives are directly relevant for the objectives of both agreements, their regulatory frameworks have not kept up with the pace of technological change. The focus of this article is on the analysis of gaps and inconsistencies within both agreements. It highlights numerous elements of the CBD and the Cartagena Protocol that raise challenges for gene drive governance, such as matters related to regulatory scope, transboundary movements, precaution and invasive alien species.

Gymnocoronis spilanthoides

An explanation for successful invasion is that invasive alien species sustain less pressure from natural enemies than co-occurring native species. Using meta-analysis, we examined whether invasive species: (1) incur less damage, (2) exhibit better performance in the presence of enemies, and (3) tolerate damage more than native species. Invasive alien species did not incur less damage than native species overall. The performance of invasive alien species was reduced compared to natives in the presence of enemies, indicating the invasive alien species were less tolerant to damage than native species. However, there was no overall difference in performance of invasive alien and native species with enemies present. The damage and degree of reduction in performance of invasive alien relative to native species did not depend on relatedness to natives. Our results suggest aliens may not always experience enemy release, and enemy release may not always result in greater plant performance.