Module 4: responding to biological invasions

1. Developing legal and institutional frameworksfor invasive alien species Module 4: responding to biological invasions

2. what this module covers what decision-makers need to know about invasive species • policy context for response measures • early detection and rapid response • eradication, control and mitigation • strengthening the legal basis for response measures • addressing conflicts of interest • incentives for control and restoration Module 1 laying the foundations for effective national frameworks Module 2 preventing biological invasions Module 3 responding to biological invasions Module 4 getting results: compliance, enforcement and liability Module 5 legal frameworks for cooperation beyond borders Module 6

3. policy context for response measures if prevention has failed, management options for IAS (endorsed by CBD Guiding Principles) are: • early detection and rapid response • eradication • control and mitigation

4. early detection and rapid response aim: to prevent the establishment and/or spread of introduced species, so as to prevent it from developing into a full blown biological invasion regional collaboration and co-operation is particularly important for effective early detection and response Rapid Response Rapid Assessment Early Detection & Reporting

5. http://100thmeridian.org/ early detection and reporting • site-specific surveys focused on: • high-risk areas close to entry points (e.g. airports, harbours, military bases); • high-risk pathways (e.g. adjacent to aquaculture or horticulture facilities); • high-value areas (e.g. protected areas or commercial forests) • public awareness campaigns for major risks, especially to provide information on spread of a newly-arrived species

6. contingency planning for rapid response legal frameworks to provide a formal basis for action clearly defined institutional roles and responsibilities are critical avoid confusion about which agency leads (e.g. where newly- discovered species has multiple impacts across different sectors) equipment and action plans ready in advance

7. legal powers to support rapid response • specific measures that should be available to competent authorities: • authority to inspect and confiscate • powers to disinfect equipment and destroy infested material • authority to direct chemical or other control of invasive organisms and to close contaminated areas and declare quarantine zones • authority to prohibit transfer of living material from contaminated to clean areas

8. eradication, control and mitigation management strategies for established IAS populations to be based on the following sequence (CBD Guiding Principles): • eradication = complete elimination of targeted IAS population • control = IAS in lower numbers or densities or contained in certain areas • mitigation = reduce the severity of IAS impacts

9. control techniques four main types of IAS control: risk assessment/EIA necessary for potentially damaging techniques • mechanical • chemical • biological control (see international Code of conduct for the import and release of exotic biological control agents) • integrated control involving two or three techniques

10. mechanical control clearing, cutting, catching, trapping – by hand/with tools and traps/sometimes with sophisticated machinery highly specific, little non-target impact but often not sustainable (e.g. – plants with significant seed banks) or difficult to achieve objectives (e.g. hunting vertebrates) highly labour-intensive mechanical clearance of Lantana camara by hand

11. chemical control • often very effective short-term solution • but high costs, non-target effects, evolving resistance • e.g. bait stations against vertebrates biological control • highly cost-effective • permanent • self-sustaining • ecologically safe due to high specificity • aim is to suppress the population below an acceptable level - host and agent in a dynamic balance

12. but all control has costs mechanical clearing and burning of Mimosa pigra on the Kafue Floodplain 40 field workers worked for 17 weeks to clear 31 ha of mimosa for a total cost of $34,250 – invasion is 30,000 ha Photos by Griffin Shanungu, Pilot site coordinator, Barriers project, Zambia

13. how to tackle deeply-rooted legal obstacles to eradication and control measures • how to develop or strengthen institutional capacity and co-ordination • how to design and plan for short and long-term responses • obligations and incentives for to IAS control and mitigation response measures –legal considerations

14. tackling legal obstacles to eradication and control • legal status of IAS incompatible with control measures? • Solution: Alien species to have legal status compatible with eradication and control measures should they become invasive • insufficient authority to undertake control measures? • Solution: Appropriate powers conferred upon agencies and individuals for short- and long- term IAS control (NB specifically consider legal position regarding access to private land) • consultation with responsible agencies and stakeholders essential to ensure long-term effectiveness

15. necessary measures may include: • prohibitions on further intentional and negligent releases of IAS into the natural environment • powers for authorities to regulate the containment, possession, domestic transport and trade in IAS • notification requirement for all land owners and occupiers to inform authorities of the presence of IAS – may go further and mandate land owners to clear plants (e.g. South Africa) • authority for competent officials to notify, cooperate and consult with neighbouring countries on possible invasions and harmonised programmes for eradication and control • authority for officials to use cost-recovery mechanisms or other revenues to finance eradication, control and mitigation programs

16. addressing conflicts of interest • at government level • in the community • with the private sector • with animal welfare groups

17. incentives for control and restoration legal frameworks should combine regulatory and voluntary measures for IAS control • local community involvement is important • incentives may include economic benefits • care not to create ‘perverse incentives’

18. Rodríguez Luengo/García Casanova, Gobierno de Canarias restoration of native biodiversity legal frameworks may include positive measures to conserve and enhance native biodiversity, in line with the ecosystem approach : measures to re-introduce or re-establish populations of native species formerly present measures to restore native habitats and ecosystems that have been degraded as a result of invasion

19. Programme for sustainable management and control of invasive species:Benefits for biodiversity, water security, reduction of fire and flood impacts, and productive potential of land example of incentives for control Working for Water Programme (www.dwaf.gov.za/wfw/) Value Added Industries Programme aims to:- create jobs (harvesting/processing plant material);- reduce net cost of clearing;AND- develop down-stream industries (independent or public-private partnerships

20. thank you