Economic Analysis of Invasive Species: Training Course

1. Economic Analysisof Invasive Species introduction to the training course

2. why the economics of invasives? • issues associated with biological invasions have traditionally been seen as responsibility of biologists • yet invasive species are fundamentally an economic problem – in terms of their causes, effects and remedies • most invasions can be linked to the intended or unintended consequences of economic activities • the major (although not only) reason that invasives are considered a problem by human beings is because they ultimately impact on economic systems and undermine human wellbeing • is now widely recognised that economics is to do with much more than just understanding the costs of invasives - also concerns causes, links between human behaviour and natural processes, and finding solutions

3. why the course? • despite growing recognition by the scientific community of the need for economics, the application of economic approaches and tools to invasives remains a recent innovation • most literature deals with the economic costs of invasions, and with case studies carried out in North America and Europe • although is now widely acknowledged that economic analysis and the use of economic instruments are key to dealing with the problems associated with biological invasions, there remains little guidance as to how economic approaches and tools should be applied in practice • invasive species have many unique and unusual characteristics which set them apart from other environmental and land use issues, meaning that conventional economics models don’t always apply

4. objectives of the course • to solicit expert input and review of GISP economic framework and tools for analysing and addressing invasive species • to build capacity and awareness among economists and scientists to identify, understand, and manage economic aspects of invasive species

5. the project • Building Capacity in Africa for Economic Analysis of the Threats Posed by Invasive Alien Species • development of training materials • delivery of training course • implemented by IUCN and CABI under GISP • funded by the World Bank-Netherlands Partnership Programme

6. the toolkit • provides a clear, user-friendly guide to the application of economic approaches and tools to invasive species • employs a modular approach, works through iterative steps to identify, understand, address and manage economic aspects of invasive species • targeted primarily at economists, can also guide scientists who are working on invasive species management

7. the workbook • provides case studies of the economic impact of invasive alien species in Africa: • Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) - Uganda • Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) - Central African Republic & South Africa • Larger grain borer (Prostephanus truncatus) - Benin & Ghana • Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) - South Africa • Triffid weed (Chromolaena odorata) - South Africa

8. about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-relatedcosts & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actionsto address invasives Module 6 what this course covers

9. what this course covers by the end of this module, the participant will have gained an understanding of the current situation of invasive species regionally and globally and be aware of the need for economic perspectives about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-relatedcosts & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actionsto address invasives Module 6

10. what this course covers about invasive species Module 1 by the end of this module, the participant will have acquired tools for identifying and tracing through the economic causes of invasions, and their impacts on human wellbeing understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-relatedcosts & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actionsto address invasives Module 6

11. what this course covers about invasive species Module 1 by the end of this module, the participant will have been presented with information about the biological attributes of invasives and the ways in which they impact upon ecosystems, as well as being aware of the ways in which we can try to prevent or manage biological invasions understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-relatedcosts & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actionsto address invasives Module 6

12. what this course covers about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 by the end of this module, the participant will understand the different types of economic costs and benefits associated with invasives, and be able to categorise them according to a total economic value framework impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-relatedcosts & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actionsto address invasives Module 6

13. what this course covers about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 by the end of this module, the participant will have gained a broad familiarity with the use and limits of ecosystem valuation, be able to identify the most appropriate technique to use in a given situation, and have a general understanding of the steps and data that are required to apply different valuation tools impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-relatedcosts & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actionsto address invasives Module 6

14. what this course covers about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 by the end of this module, the participant will be more aware of how and when invasives issues need to be incorporated into economic decision-support information and indicators, and have a better understanding of the types of economic and financial instruments that can be used in support of the control of invasive species impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-relatedcosts & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actionsto address invasives Module 6

15. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Introduction, aims, objectives, participants’ expectations Module 4: defining invasive-relatedcosts & benefits Present back and discuss field trip/worked example 1.5 h 30 m Module 1: about invasive species Module 5: valuing ecosystem impacts Module 6: informing actionsto address invasives 1.5 h 1 h Module 2: understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 5 (contd.): Field trip/worked example on valuation Wrap-up and closing 1.5 h 30 m Module 3: impacts of invasive species and ways to address them 1.5 h agenda

16. “rules of the game” • sessions are intended to be as interactive as possible • the participants in this course are all experienced planners, researchers and analysts: everybody has valuable knowledge and expertise to share • participants are encouraged to comment, ask questions, share experiences, and to provide their own suggestions and insights

18. thank you