Unit 1 Introduction to Invasive Alien Species Overview of the Problem

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Unit 1 Introduction to Invasive Alien Species
Overview of the Problem -

• Randy G. WestbrooksRebecca M. WestbrooksSteven
  Manning

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Unit Objectives

• Understand and describe the nature of the IAS
  problem
• List some of the major characteristics of IAS
• Discuss a few of the worlds worst IAS
• Discuss the basic ecological, economic and public
  health impacts of IAS
• Describe the process of biological invasions
• Give examples of intentional and unintentional
  introductions
• List major pathways and vectors of primary and
  secondary spread
• Explain difficulties with predicting invasiveness
  of organisms
• Discuss some of the factors that are enhancing
  the global spread of IAS

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Session Outline and Agenda

• 1100-1125. Session 1. Introduction to Invasive
  Alien Species.
• 1125-1145. Session 2. Human Facilitated Spread
  of Plants and Animals Whos Using Who?
• 1145 1200. Lab Exercise.
• 1200 1300. Lunch.
• 1300-1330. Session 3. Predicting Invasiveness
  Forewarned Is Forearmed!
• 1330-1400. Session 4. Factors Enhancing the
  Spread of IAS.
• 1400-1445. Lab Exercises.
• 1445-1450. Review of Major Concepts in Unit 1.
• 1450-1500. Break.

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Session 1. Introduction to IAS.1.1. Overview of
the Problem.

• Crop Pests Historic Struggle Between Man and
  Nature
• Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Plants/Animals
  Outside their Native Range Due to Trade and
  Travel
• Ecological Impacts Hydrology, Sediments, Soil
  Water Chemistry, Disruption of Fire Cycles
• Economic and Social Losses - 300 Billion
  Globally, Deplete Water Supplies, Famine/Disease,
  Grazing Lands, Noise Pollution
• Ports of Entry First Line of Defense Against
  IAS

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1.1.2. IAS - Ecosystems out of Balance

• Origin of IAS
• Remove Top Predators
• Insert New Exotic Species Without Co-Evolved
  Predators and Parasites

Food Web
Beaver
Simple Food Chain
Eastern Gray Squirrel
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1.1.3. Evolution in Isolation Recreation of a
Virtual Pangaea

• Super-continents
• Columbia 1.5 Billion Yr BP
• Rodinia 700 Million BP
• Pangaea 180 Million Yr BP
• Evolution in Isolation
• Ecological Explosion
• 8,600 Birds (4X )
• Global Spread of IAS
• Recreating a Virtual Pangaea
• Homogeocene

Pangaea
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1.2. Characteristics of IAS.

• Abundant in Natural Range
• History of Invasiveness Outside Natural Range
• Wide Distribution in Different Habitats
• Fast Growth, Early Maturity
• High Reproduction Seed Dormancy
• Allelopathy
• Prickles, Spines, Thorns
• Parasitism
• Same Size/Shape as Crop Seeds
• Ability to Go without Food/Water
• Roots/Rhizomes with Large Storage
• Efficient Means of Spread
• Close Association with Humans

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1.3. Characteristics of Invaded Habitats.

• Ecological Similarities Between Origin and
  Receiving Ecosystems
• Lack of Co-evolved Predators and Parasites
• Other IAS already Established
• High Degree of Disturbance
• Secondary Pathways and Vectors for Further Spread

B
A

• Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia. B. Florida
  Everglades, United States.

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1.4. Overview of IAS Taxa Groups.
Invasive Plants, Insects, Diseases, Aquatic
Nuisance Species, and Injurious Wildlife.
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1.4.1. Invasive Plants.

• 250,000 Plants in the World
• 22,000 Invasive Plants
• Definitions
• Invasive Plant Weed
• Noxious Weed Regulated Weed
• Melaleuca and Pond Apple Tale of Two Weeds in
  North America and Australia

Melaleuca
Pond Apple
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1.4.2. Insects.

• 30 Million Insect Species
• 500,000 Species of Beetles
• Desert Locust
• Africa, Middle East, Asia
• Swarms
• 1,200 km2
• 96 Billion Individuals
• 240,000 Metric Tons
• Losses
• Morocco 1954 (50 Million in 6 Weeks)
• Ethiopia 1958 (167,000 Tons of Grain Feed 1
  Million People for a Year

Mauritania, July, 1994
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1.4.3. Aquatic Nuisance Species.

• ANS Factoids
• 21 Billion Gallons Ballast Water Per Year - (USA)
• 3,000 ANS Moving in Ballast Water Around the
  World
• ANS Taxa
• Aquatic Weeds (Water Hyacinth)
• Aquatic Invertebrates (Zebra Mussel)
• Aquatic Vertebrates (Nile Perch)

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1.44. Injurious Wildlife

• Terrestrial Vertebrates
• Intentionally Established
• Game Animals
• Domestic Animals
• IW Examples
• Nutria
• Eastern Gray Squirrel
• Australian Brushtail Possum

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1.5.1. Ecological Impacts of IAS.

• Threaten Endangered Species
• Crowd out Natives
• Compete with Natives for Resources, Space, Light
• Disrupt Trophic Level Relationships
• Increase Disturbance Regimes that Natives are not
  Adapted to (e.g., Wildfires)
• Hybridize with Natives
• Cause Habitat Loss

Fynbos South Africa
Argentine Ant
Old World Climbing Fern in Florida
Cheatgrass in the American West
Mallard Duck
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1.52. Economic Effects of IAS.

• USA 150 Billion
• India US117 Billion
• South Africa US17.5 Billion
• United Kingdom US12 Billion
• Australia AUS10 Billion
• New Zealand US10 Billion
• Africa (Aquatic Weed Control) US60 Million

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1.5.2.2. Economic Impacts of IAS.

• Direct Losses
• Crop Losses (India 20 Per Year)
• Loss of Exports
• Karnal Bunt of Wheat
• Loss of Pasture Productivity
• Cogongrass
• Loss of Fisheries
• Nile Perch
• Indirect Losses
• Flooding (Water Hyacinth)
• Landslides (Miconia)
• Damage to Dams (Nutria)
• Increased Wildfires (Cheatgrass)
• Loss of Tourism (Spotted Knapweed)

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1.53. Public Health Impacts.

• Diseases
• 1999 - West Nile Virus - USA
• 9,862 People Infected
• 264 People Died
• 2003 SARS in China
• 17 Billion Tourism Losses
• Stings - Allergic Reactions
• Imported Red Fire Ant
• Africanized Honey Bee

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Session 2. Spread of Plants and Animals Whos
Using Who?

• Reversion of Cultivars to Wild Forms
• Olives
• Granny Smith Apple

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1.6. Process of Invasion.

• Primary Introduction
• Establishment
• Monterey Pine in NZ, AUS
• Secondary Spread
• Vehicles, Trains, Trailers, Animals

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1.6.2. The IAS Lag Phase.Melaleuca in the
Florida Everglades.

• Florida Everglades
• River of Grass, Tree Islands
• 80 Miles wide, 1/3 M Deep
• 1906 Introduced from AUS
• 1936 - Aerial Seeding with Melaleuca
• 1970s Rapid Spread throughout the Glades
• 1990s 200,000 ha Infested

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1.7. Intentional Introductions.1.7.1.
Introductions that become Invasive.

• Agricultural Crops
• Tall Fescue - Pastures
• Forestry Species
• Leucaena - Africa
• Erosion Control
• Kudzu - USA
• Aid Trade
• Cordia - Vanuatu
• Ornamental Plants
• Siam Weed - Africa
• Germplasm
• Disease Infected Wheat

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1.7. Intentional Introductions.1.7.1.
Introductions that become Invasive.

• Game Animals
• Sika Deer - USA
• Mammals as Food Source on Islands
• Feral Pigs, Goats
• Biocontrol Agents
• Cane Toad - AUS
• Fishery Releases
• Nile Perch Lake Victoria, Africa
• Pets Released in Wild
• Burmese Python - USA
• Aquaculture Escapes
• LA Crayfish - Africa

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1.7.1.2. Unauthorized Intentional Introductions
(Smuggling).
Chinese Water Spinach(Ipomoea aquatica)
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1.8. Unintentional Introductions.

• Adaptations for Spread
• Plants Burs (Cocklebur), Seed Sails, Floating
  Seeds
• Animals Dog Tick
• Stowaways
• Khapra Beetle
• Hitchhikers
• Snails
• Contaminants (Co-mingled)
• Weed Seed in Crop Seed

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1.8. Unintentional Introductions. Contd.

• Hitchhikers on Nursery Plants
• Pink Hibiscus Mealybug
• Hitchhikers on Cut Flowers
• Leaf Miners
• Soil Pests
• Clemora smithi (Sugarcane White Grub) Transferred
  from Barbados to Mauritius in Sugarcane
• Planes, Trains, Vehicles, Equipment
• Giant African Snail
• Mail
• Crazy Yellow Ant
• Ballast Soil and Water
• Chinese Mitten Crab
• Hull Fouling Organisms
• Marine Debris

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Case Study Yellow Crazy Ants on Christmas Island

• 1930 Introduced to Christmas Island
• 1990s Population Exploded
• Forms Multi-Queen Super Colonies
• Up to 700 ha in Size
• Overwhelms and Kills Native Species
• Red Land Crabs
• 1995-2002 - 10-20 Million Killed
• Robber Crabs, Native Reptiles
• Native Invertebrates
• Control Toxic Bait 99 Effective
• Fipronil in Fish Meal (0.6 gm/ha)
• 1528 km NW of AUS Possession of AUS

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1.8.1. Case Study Serrated Tussock in the U.S.

• Description Annual Grass
• Origin Argentina
• Threat Serious Pasture Weed, Minimal Nutrient
  Value
• Areas Affected AUS, NZ
• 1989 Introduction to USA
• Nine Infested Shipments from ARG
• Loophole in FNWA Seed Shipments Exempt from
  Regulation under the Law
• Federal Judge Ruled Intent of Law Included Seed
  Shipments
• Results
• Large Amount Re-exported to Canada, Japan
• 5,000 kg (11,000 lbs.) Burned in Kentucky
• 6,800 kg (15,000 lbs.) Buried in Landfill in
  Missouri
• Small Amount Hydroseeded onto Stripmine
  Reclamation Sites in Kentucky

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1.9.1. Pathways of Unintentional Spread.

• Commercial Shipping
• Ships
• Planes
• Trains
• Vehicles Trucks
• People Movers
• Ships, Planes, Trains, Vehicles
• People
• Beggar-lice on Trousers

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1.9.2.2. Unintentional Spread by Cargo and
Commodities.

• Cargo Wide Range of Commercial Goods
• Military Equipment
• Commodity Homogeneous Substances in Commerce
• Imported Fruit
• Ornamental Rocks

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Unit 1 Lab Exercise 1.IAS in Participant
Countries.

• 1. Name five introduced species in your country
  that are not considered to be invasive.
• 2. Name five introduced species in your country
  that are considered to be invasive.

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Lunch!

• Sponsored by
• Dr. Lynn Jackson
• Global Invasive Species Programme
• Capetown, South Africa

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Session 3. Predicting Invasiveness.1.10. Methods
of Predicting Invasiveness.

• Criteria for IAS Prevention Program
• Know About IAS Worldwide
• GISP
• http//www.gisp.org/
• Global Invasive Species Database
• http//www.issg.org/database/welcome/
• Know Which Ones Pose a Threat to Your Country
• Characteristics of Ideal Invaders

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Session 3. Predicting Invasiveness.1.10.
Characteristics of the Ideal Invader.

• Widespread in Native Range (Kudzu in China)
• History of Invasiveness Elsewhere (Serrated
  Tussock in Australia)
• Adapted in Wide Range of Environments and Soils
  (Tropical Soda Apple)
• Rapid Growth and Maturity (Cactus Moth)
• Produces Many Offspring (Desert Locust)
• Rapid Colonizer (Giant Salvinia)
• Efficient Dispersal Mechanisms (Jointed Goatgrass
  in Wheat)
• Broad Diet (Coqui Frog)
• Aggressive Behavior (Imported Fire Ant)
• Close Relationship with Humans (Oriental
  Cockroach)
• Small in Size (Khapra Beetle)

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Session 3. Predicting Invasiveness.1.10.
Susceptibility of Environments to Invasion.

• Similarities between Native Range of IAS and
  Receiving Region
• IAS Already Established in the Region
• Level of Development and Disturbance
• Low Biodiversity Due to Habitat Loss or Stressors
  such as Over Grazing, Wildfires, Clear Cutting,
  Water Pollution
• Vectors for Secondary Spread
• Isolated Communities with High Endemic Species

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Session 3. Predicting Invasiveness.1.10. IAS
Risk Assessment.

• Regulatory Prevention Pest Risk Assessment
  Systems.
• USDA APHIS Weed Risk Assessment System
• Prohibited Listing Approach
• AUS AQIS Weed Risk Assessment System
• Permitted Listing Approach - 49 Questions
• Score lt 1 (Permitted Entry)
• Score 1 6 (Evaluated Further)
• Score gt 6 (Prohibited Entry)
• Ranking of Established IAS
• NatureServe I-Ranking (400 Species Ranked)
• More in Unit 7.

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Session 4. Factors Enhancing Spread of IAS.1.11.
IAS and Globalization.

• The Global Village
• Instant Communications
• Global Trade, Travel
• Homogenization of Worlds Flora Fauna
• Species Introductions Social, Economic Reasons

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The Great American Exchange
Panama Land Bridge, 3 Million Yr. BP
North AmericanMammals
South AmericanMarsupials
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Session 4. Factors Enhancing Spread of IAS.1.12.
IAS and Changing Land Use Patterns.

• Human Development and Habitation - Civilization
• Habitat Fragmentation,
• Attract Wildlife, Attract IAS
• Source Areas for Horticultural IAS
• Nutrient Rich Urban Lawns and Gardens (Chinese
  Wisteria)
• Higher IAS Around Population Centers
• More People More IAS
• Purple Loosestrife Campbell Creek, Anchorage,
  Alaska
• Roads and Highways
• Connecting People Spreading IAS
• Japanese Hops, Connecticut, USA
• Johnsongrass, North Carolina, USA

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1.13. IAS and Global Climate Change. Cause and
Effect.

• Land Use Changes (Habitat Fragmentation and
  Destruction)
• Build up of Greenhouse Gases (Global Warming, Sea
  Level Rise, Ecosystem Demise)
• Air Water Pollution (Threat to
  Environmental/Human Health
• Spread of Invasive Species (Threat to
  Biodiversity and Agricultural Production)

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Pleistocene Interglacial Periods. Natural
Climate Change Events in North America.1.8
Million 11,500 Years Ago.

• Average Temperature
• 2-3o C Higher
• Plants/Animals Migrated North
• South American Tapirs in North Carolina
• Sweetgum in Canada
• Manatees in New Jersey

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Potential Impacts of Modern Global Warming

• Temperatures
• 4-9o C Higher
• Drought, Heat Waves
• Melting Glaciers
• Melting Snowcaps
• More Rainfall, Storms, Hurricanes
• Hurricane Katrina
• Sea Level Rise
• 0.4 - 0.5 m
• Disturbance and Change..

Mt. Kilimanjaro stripped of its snowcap for the
first time in 11,000 years.
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Potential Impacts of Global Warming on Natural
Ecosystems.

• Disappearance of Sensitive Habitat
• Alpine Meadows
• Eastern Forests Changes
• Mixed Woodlands and Grasslands
• Northwestern Forests Lose Key Species over
  Decades
• Species Attempt to Migrate North.

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Species Migrations In Response to Global Climate
Change.

• Vegetation Zones Shift 300 km Towards the Poles
• Loblolly Pine Distribution Move 300 Miles
  Northward

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Impediments to Species Migration.

• Climate Change Faster than Species can Migrate
  (Trees Migrate 20-30 km per Century)
• Human Settlements, Activities, Development,
  Highways
• Invasive Species Move in to Southern Boundary
  Transition Zones
• Cogongrass in Alabama

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Invasive Speciesin a Warmer World

• Expand their Range, Invade New Habitats
• Compete with Stressed Natives
• Create Synergistic Effects with other Global
  Changes

Chinese Tallow Tree(Triadica sebifera)
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Human Induced Global ChangeCause and Effect
Invasive Species
Invasive Species
BurningFossil Fuels
HabitatDestruction
Land UseChanges
Air WaterPollution
Invasive Species
Invasive Species
Human Induced Global Change
Elevated CO2
Ecosystem Break Down
Temperatures Rise
More Precipitation
More Fires
Invasive Species
Invasive Species
Drought
Sea Level Rise
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Unit 1 Major Concepts.

• IAS have traits that permit them to outcompete
  native and beneficial species.
• IAS often invade areas that are very similar to
  their native range.
• Over 22,000 invasive plants have been documented.
• Unlike chemical pollutants that breakdown,
  biological pollutants multiply and spread.
• Impact of IAS on Human Health allergies,
  infectious diseases, and Stings.
• Phases of Biological Invasions - Introduction,
  Establishment, and Spread.
• The Lag Phase a Biological Time Bomb.
• The Precautionary Principle - Most effective way
  to minimize further problems with IAS.

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Unit 1 Major Concepts, Contd.

• About 1 of all introduced plants will become
  invasive.
• About 75 of all invasive plants were
  intentionally introduced.
• Pathways of IAS spread -Commercial Shipping, Air,
  Water, and Overland Travel, People
• Unintentional Introductions - Cargo and
  Commodities may become infested Stowaways and
  Contaminants at the point of origin, or somewhere
  along the transport to a new region.
• Best Predictor of Invasiveness A History of
  Invasiveness Elsewhere.
• Factors increasing the spread of IAS -
  Globalization, Land Use Changes, and Global
  Climate Change.

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Unit 1 Lab Exercise 2.Modeling Exponential
Growth of Yellow Starthistle.
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Unit 1. Exercise 3.Pathways, Vectors,
Introductions.

• List major IAS at your port of entry (e.g.,
  Ships, Planes, Vehicles, etc.).
• List major IAS vectors and origins of introduced
  pests that pass through your port (Types of
  Commodities, Ballast Water, etc.).
• List one authorized intentionally introduced
  species that has become invasive in your country.
  Why/when was it introduced? What impacts is it
  having?
• List one unauthorized intentionally introduced
  species (smuggled) that has become invasive in
  your country. Why/when was it introduced? What
  impacts is it having?
• List one unintentionally introduced species
  (stowaway, hitchhiker, or contaminant) that has
  become established and invasive in your country.
  How was it introduced (pathway, vector)? When
  was it introduced? What impacts is it having?

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Unit 1. Exercise 4.IAS Risk Assessment.

• List characteristics of successful invaders.
• What kind of regulatory pest risk assessment
  system does your country use (permitted listing
  approach, prohibited listing approach).

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Special Thanks Lynn Jackson and Philip Ivey
Global Invasive Species Programme, Cape Town,
South Africa Janine LloydUSGS BRD, Whiteville,
NC Graphics, Lay Out, Design Les
MehrhoffUniversity of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Editorial Review White Sands Hotel and
ResortJangwani Beach, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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