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MODULE 2

MODULE 2. Impacts of IAS. Learning Outcomes. By the end of this module you should be able to: understand the different types of impacts know the costs associated with IAS give examples of problematic species identify the indirect effects of IAS. Categories of IAS impacts. Economic

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MODULE 2

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  1. MODULE 2 Impacts of IAS

  2. Learning Outcomes • By the end of this module you should be able to: • understand the different types of impacts • know the costs associated with IAS • give examples of problematic species • identify the indirect effects of IAS

  3. Categories of IAS impacts • Economic • Environmental • Social

  4. Economic impacts • In the US the economic costs of invasive plants and animals are estimated at US$137 billion per year.

  5. Economic impacts • These include: • Primary production • Trade • Infrastructure damage • Management • Other sectors

  6. Primary production • Agriculture • up to 40% of global agricultural production lost due to IAS • up to 49% of production in Africa

  7. Primary production • Leafy spurge • competes with native plants • increases erosion • toxic to animals • causes skin irritation

  8. Primary production • European rabbit • annual cost to Australia’s agricultural production is US$373 million • feeds on many crops, including wheat and livestock forage • causes erosion

  9. Primary Production • Field rat • Feeds on harvested grain and destroys crops • In Indonesia consumes 17% of rice crop

  10. Forestry • IAS impacts include: • timber losses • cost of herbicides and pesticides • worldwide cost of $100 billion per year

  11. Primary Production • European gypsy moth • causes extensive defoliation • eats the leaves of approximately 500 plants and trees • a major pest in North American forests

  12. Primary Production • Comb jelly • comprises up to 95% of the biomass in the Black Sea • was responsible for the collapse of the anchovy fishery, which was worth $US 250 million/year

  13. Primary Production • Sea lamprey • predate upon sport fish in the Great Lakes of North America • extract blood and fluids from host fish

  14. Trade • Export restrictions for IAS infested countries • Hawaii • loss of millions of dollars in fruit exports when fruit flies discovered

  15. Tourism • Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) • a threat to conservation and ecotourism • invades natural areas • reduces biodiversity • compromises game-viewing in nature reserves and national parks

  16. Tourism • SARS outbreak • caused $17 billion loss to China’s tourism industry in 2003

  17. Property / Infrastructure • Brown Tree Snake • causes $US 1-4 million damage to power lines on Guam • power outages every 3 days on average

  18. Property / Infrastructure • Zebra mussel • clogs water intakes and discharge pipes • competes with native mussels • cost of control is $US 10 billion over 10 years Fouled pipe

  19. Property / Infrastructure • Formosan subterranean termite • infestations weaken the structure of houses • cause $US1 billion/year of damage in the United States

  20. IAS Management • Globally, billions of dollars are spent to prevent, eradicate and control IAS impacts • Although the costs of prevention are often high, they are minor compared to the costs if an IAS were to become established

  21. Smallpox AIDS ribbon Cholera Social Impacts • Human health • introduced infectious diseases can have a devastating impact • AIDS, smallpox, cholera

  22. Social Impacts • Recreation • invasive plants interfere with recreational activities in parks and protected areas

  23. Culture • Invasive species can impact on the cultural values and activities of an area • Examples: • - loss of native grasses used in basket making • - the loss of species harvested for ritual

  24. Mile-a-minute weed overgrowing a fence in Palau Livelihoods • Loss of biodiversity due to IAS affects peoples’ livelihoods

  25. Environmental Impacts • Ecosystems and biodiversity • within an ecosystem all species are connected • a disruption to one species can affect a whole range of other species

  26. Species level impacts • IAS can affect native species by: • changing their abundance • changing their geographical range • causing local or global extinction

  27. Wasp feeding on honeydew Ecosystem level impacts • IAS can change the balance and structure of ecosystem • common wasps have invaded New Zealand beech forests • they monopolize high-energy honeydew produced by scale insects • native species are unable to feed on this important resource

  28. Black petrel killed by feral cat Processes • Predation • Herbivory • Disease (pathogens)

  29. Processes • Physical processes (fire regimes, nitrogen cycles) • Competition • Hybridisation • Parasitism The mallard duck hybridises with many native duck species

  30. Concluding remarks • Many IAS are detrimental to the economy as well as human health and the environment • Unlike other environmental ‘pollutants’ IAS have an increasing impact over time

  31. Summary • Invasive Alien Species have had enormous negative impacts. • IAS are found in nearly every habitat and occur in all major taxonomic groups. • Invasive species can have adverse economic, social and ecological impacts. • Billions of dollars are spent annually to prevent, control and manage IAS. • The introduction of an IAS can cause major ecosystem changes.

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