Brief Ideas for the Sustainability of the IABIN Invasives Information Network (I3N)

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Brief Ideas for the Sustainability of the IABIN
Invasives Information Network (I3N)

• As presented to the
• Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network
  Visioning Meeting
• Washington, DC
• 28-29 October, 2008

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I3N Update - 2008

• 3 workshops and over 80 new people trained
• Venezuela, El Salvador, Guatemala
• Honduras early 2009
• Risk Analysis and Pathways Prevention tool
  finalized
• Final RFP published

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Upcoming work (2008-2009)

• New bilingual search engine with database search
  capabilities (late 2008)
• Website will be translated to Spanish and
  Portuguese (late 2008-2009)
• Database and web template to be converted to open
  source in first half of 2009
• Recommendations from users will be incorporated
• New controlled vocabulary and quality control
• CABI grant (2008-2009)

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I3N objectives

• Training has been made widely available
  throughout the Americas
• Database in use by most countries
• Sustainability
• Create further training and development
  opportunities
• Further develop and disseminate tools
• Support national strategy initiatives
• Expand database records and use
• Continue to provide database support

5
More recent agreements

• Close alliance with TNC, they've contributed
  funds for training
• Signed MOU with GISP could potentially benefit
  economically
• Formal MOU signed in Uruguay in May 2007
• Member of Global Invasive Species Information
  Network (GISIN) and will provided data to global
  network
• GISIN called for global support of the I3N
  standards and tools

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Links to Other Initiatives
MemberPartnerFundingMOUTWG
MemberPartnerFundingMOUTWG
ASEAN X
BioNET X
GEOSS X
GISIN X X X
GISP X X X
ISIN X X X X
ISSG/GISD X X
ITIS X
NatureServe X
PAIGH P
PBIF X
TDWG X X
TNC X X X
US EPA X
US State Dep X P
USAID F
X current P past F future
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Apply for funding from

• Sun Microsystems (Web servers)
• Gates Foundation (capacity-building grants for
  data management)
• NSF grant for building networks Moore Foundation
  (contributed to TDWG and GBIF)
• GBIF data digitization grants (regional or
  country level?)

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Seek Grants for Specific Taxonomic Groups
VASCULAR PLANTSLarge control effort
Asian honeysuckle
cheatgrass
FISHESLarge number of speciesand large control
effort
round goby
snakehead
EAB beetle
INVERTEBRATESlargest number of species with
enormous impact
tunicate
Photo by Dann Blackwood
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Less-used Taxonomic Groups
nutria
MAMMALSFew invasive species, but have high
localized impact.
starling
BIRDSRelatively few invasive species.
pigeon
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Seek Grants for Specific Issues

• Climate Change
• Aquatic/Marine Habitats
• Crop pests and invasives with direct economic
  impact

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Additional Ideas

• Seek grant from CBD Secretariat for facilitating
  invasive species country reports for the
  Clearinghouse Mechanism
• Explore ability to receive funds from Global
  Invasive Species Programme's GEF grant
• Become an integral part of future grants of the
  Global Invasive Species Information Network
• Charge annual membership fee for use of help desk
  and other services

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I3N lessons learned

• Emphasize people aspects
• Make the tools simple to use
• Ensure recognition of information sources
• Need significant technical and administrative
  support for I3N Leads and database managers

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Thank you
AdditionalSuggestions? Questions Christine
Fournier, cfournie_at_usgs.gov
Photo by Jim Thorne