Invasive Alien Species Strategy

Plants, animals, pathogens, and other creatures that are non-native to an ecosystem and can threaten the economy, the environment, or human health are known as invasive alien species. They have a negative influence on biodiversity, including native species loss or extinction due to competition, predation, or pathogen transmission, as well as disruption of local ecosystems and ecosystem processes.

Invasive alien species, which have been introduced and/or propagated outside of their natural habitats, have harmed native biodiversity in nearly every ecosystem type on the planet, and are one of the most serious threats to biodiversity. Invasive alien species have been blamed for roughly 40% of all animal extinctions since the 17th century (CBD, 2006).

Causes and impacts of invasive alien species

Globalisation has resulted in increased trade, transportation, travel, and tourism, all of which can aid in the introduction and spread of non-native species. A species may survive and reproduce in a new habitat that is similar enough to its native habitat. To become invasive, a species must outcompete native organisms for food and habitat, expand over its new environment, grow its population, and disrupt ecosystems in its new range.

Most countries are dealing with difficult and expensive invasive species issues. The annual environmental damages caused by introduced pests in the US, UK, Australia, South Africa, India, and Brazil, for example, have been estimated at more than US$ 100 billion (CBD, 2006). The threat of invading alien species is growing every day, and the economic and environmental consequences are serious.

Objective of Invasive alien species 

• Biological diversity preservation

• Use of its components across time

• Benefits derived from the utilisation of genetic resources should be shared fairly and equally.

• Prevent the introduction of alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats, or species, and control or destroy them.

A Global Problem

Species have migrated and colonised new locations since the origin of life on Earth. Migrating species were often unable to establish viable colonies in new habitats and died off rapidly. In other cases, they were either integrated into the ecosystem’s existing structure or were responsible for altering native food chains by outcompeting or decimating local prey. After the construction of an isthmus connecting North and South America during the Pliocene Epoch (5.3 million to 2.6 million years ago), one of the most important species invasions in Earth’s history occurred. Many predator species that migrated from North America to South America are likely to have contributed to the extinction of many mammalian species in South America.

Modern humans (Homo sapiens) have played a growing influence in species invasions since their inception. Modern humans are among the most successful invasive species on the planet, having colonised all but the most extreme habitats and transforming natural areas into agricultural and urban landscapes. Humans, on the other hand, play a significant role in the introduction of new species to new locations. Human migrating bands were accompanied by parasites, diseases, and domesticated animals’ tens of thousands of years ago. Many exotic plants and animals were transported from other regions with the emergence of civilisation to broaden consumer palates or act as curiosities in gardens and circuses.

Although exotic species have been collected and transported since ancient times, documented records of their ecological effects are just a few centuries old. The Norway, or brown, rat is one of the most well-known historical examples of such a species (Rattus norvegicus). This rodent is said to have originated in north-eastern China and dispersed over the Pacific Ocean islands.

Terminology

Invasive alien species: foreign species that threaten biological diversity through their introduction and/or spread (ecosystems, habitats or species).

Alien species: 

• species, subspecies, or lower taxon that has been imported outside of its natural range

• comprises any portion, gametes, eggs, or propagules of such species that may survive and reproduce in the future.

Solution

The majority of experts feel that the most efficient strategy to prevent future exotic species invasions and contribute to biodiversity protection is to prevent new species introductions in the first place. Although “strange stowaways” can still be found in international trade and travel, ecologists point out that governments and citizens have the authority to limit the risk of such creatures being released into new settings. At ports of departure and arrival, closer screening of pallets, containers, and other international shipping goods could reveal insects, seeds, and other stowaway species. To prevent purchasers, sellers, and carriers of illegal exotic pets, several ecologists and government officials have urged for harsher fines and the possibility of incarceration.

Increased port controls, on the other hand, will not help invasive species that have already established themselves. Furthermore, climate change may provide new chances for some invasive species. Photosynthesis (and thus growth and reproductive success) in some plants has been demonstrated to be fueled by persistent increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Climate warming associated with increases in atmospheric carbon will likely allow botanical invaders, such as kudzu and another ornamental plant from Asia called Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), and insect invaders, as well as the diseases they may carry, to gain footholds in habitats previously off-limits to them.

Some ecologists have proposed extensive monitoring and eradication initiatives to avoid such scenarios from occurring. Many habitat restoration projects, for example, prioritise replanting and reinstalling native species while also eradicating invasive species. Ecologists think that taking these steps, together with effective education programmes that equip individuals with the knowledge and resources to deal with invasive plants, animals, and other species in their communities, can prevent additional biodiversity loss.

Conclusion

Any nonnative species that significantly alters or disrupts the ecosystems it colonises is referred to as an invasive species, also known as an imported species, alien species, or exotic species. These species may migrate to new locations naturally, but they are frequently introduced by the actions of other species. The most common ways invasive plants, animals, microorganisms, and other species are moved to new environments are through human activities such as global commerce and the pet trade.