Mick Clout - Programme Leader

Biological invasions continue to cause biodiversity loss and negative economic impacts throughout the world, as species are transported across natural biogeographic boundaries. The number of invasions continues to rise with the growth in world trade, despite the fact that a considerable amount of information now exists on invasive species, their distribution, characteristics, the risks they pose, and methods of prevention or control. The existing information is not accessible or widely available; invasions happen despite the existence of knowledge which might prevent or control them.

Activities

Existing databases on invasive species will be listed and reviewed, and the proposed structure and content of an accessible global system of linked databases will be recommended.

A pilot database will be created, containing information on the top 100 invasive species in each of a set of at least five focal countries (probably Chile, New Zealand, Mauritius, South Africa, USA). For each of these countries (chosen partly because information exists for ready incorporation into the pilot database), data on the worst potential invaders will also be included. Regional meetings will be held in the focal countries to collate this information on existing and potential invasives.

Global current awareness services on invasive species will also be listed and reviewed. These services include newsletters on invasives (of which there are several, with widely varying circulations and different target audiences), and Internet services such as web pages, listservers, and discussion groups.

Plan of Action. It is proposed to run this exercise in two streams; one on databases, and one on current awareness services. Each of these streams will hold a separate workshop and produce a publication. They will then come together for the final synthesis conference.

Focal countries proposed for this exercise are Chile, New Zealand, Mauritius, South Africa, USA. Regional meetings for the database pilot exercise will be held in each of these countries. International meetings are proposed as follows: Database workshop to be held in USA, Canada or UK; current awareness workshop to be held in New Zealand

Products

1. A published list of existing invasive species databases, their accessibility, scope, and usefulness

2. The recommended structure and content for a new global database system on invasive species

3. A pilot database, using the above recommended structure and content, containing data on the worst current and potential invasive species in five or more focal countries

4. A published list of existing Internet services and newsletters on invasive species, together with an analysis of their usefulness and availability, and proposals for rationalisation or linkage

5. A section in the Global Strategy document

6. Significant capacity building in focal countries, and among participants

Beneficiaries

Conservation organisations (government and NGO's); policy makers and governments; ministries of agriculture, fisheries etc.; quarantine officers; pest managers.

Representatives of the beneficiary groups listed above will be included in the meetings and workshops leading to production of outputs, to facilitate capacity building as an outcome of this section's activities. Wherever possible, representatives from developing countries will be involved.