Slide 1:International Symposium on “Biology, Ecology and Management of World’s Worst Plant Invasive Species” Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems, University of Delhi, December 10-14, 2006 Invasive Alien Species Biology and Ecology of Invasion Vinod Khanna Zoological Survey of India, Dehra Dun-248 195 Cervus elaphus Carassius auratus


Slide 2:Think of an invasion, and the picture that comes to our mind is usually that of planes and tanks, machines and men, shells and gunshots. But animal and plant species also run amok, especially when they enter an ecosystem where they did not exist previously. After habitat destruction, the biggest threat to the world biodiversity is by invasive alien species. Acacia mearnsii Achatina fulica Passer domesticus


Slide 3:“ ALIEN SPECIES ” A non -native species, subspecies, or lower taxon occurring outside its natural range and dispersal potential and includes any part, gametes or propagule of such species that might survive and subsequently reproduce and that does no harm to the invaded ecosystem either economically or health wise. Cinara cupressi (Insect) Cypress Aphid Rattus rattus


Slide 4:Gambusia affinis “INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES (or IAS)“ A species which is non-native (or Alien) to the ecosystem and whose introduction in a new ecological territory causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health.   Or alternately   The Invasive Alien Species are those that produce fertile offsprings in large numbers at a considerable distance from their original ecosystem, compete with native species ,destabilize the ecosystem, cause economical loss and get naturalized over there. Ardisia elliptica


Slide 5:Generally The movement of plants and animals across habitats and ecosystem is a natural process The ecosystems are inherently dynamic, losing some species, gaining others It is the constantly accelerating rate of invasion that looms large over the world economy today. Human actions are the primary means of invasive species introductions. The invasive species generally have dramatic and negative effect on the other species and even entire ecosystem to the extent that it includes the extinction of species or sometimes even the hydrology and nutrition cycles of entire ecosystems have changed. Arundo donax Solenopsis geminata


Slide 6:The Impact of Invasion is second only to that of human population growth and associated activities as they cause 1.Loss of Biodiversity 2.Decline of Native Species (Endemics). 3.Habitat Loss 4. Introduced pathogens Reduce crop and stock yields, besides 5.Degradation of marine and freshwater ecosystems This biological invasion constitutes the greatest threat to biodiversity, and it has already had devastating consequences for the planet and challenges for the conservation managers. Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV ) Suncus murinus


Slide 7:Warnings All the invasive species are not harmful and it would not be possible even to quantify the damage done nor to exactly know the quantum of invasion Unless The total biodiversity of any area is worked out and Enough documentation is available to prove the species as invader. Much of the invasive species may be lost to the habitat loss Or become extinct before estimated biodiversity is deciphered. Anoplolepis gracilipes Cecropia peltata


Slide 8:Invasion and Species Richness? Over 120,000 non-native species of plants, animals and microbes have invaded just six countries- the US, UK, Australia, South Africa, Brazil and India (David Pimental of College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Brazil and India. The invasions potentially lead to an increase in species richness, as invasive species are added to the existing species pool. BUT also leads to extinction of native species, resulting in decrease of species richness. The negative interactions is primarily the competition with natives for food and sustenance, which may not allow coexistence . Anoplophora glabripennis Chromolaena odorata


Slide 9:Ecology of Invasion requires addressing of three criteria.While Natural Invasions are very slow the transport and trade are the primary cause for quick invasiveness. The rate and mechanism of transport or movement of organisms. 2.  The characteristics of the organisms that allow them to be successful invaders and 3.  The properties of ecosystems that make them susceptible or resident to the invaders. Coptotermes formosanus Acacia farnesiana


Slide 10:Ballast Water Shipping Transport is principal medium responsible for transporting more than 4,000 of marine alien organisms daily. In order to provide stability to vessels, the ships when they contain little or no cargo traveling from deep-sea waters to shallow seas,carry the Ballast water. And when the ship returns back to deep waters the ballast is released, thereby bringing a lot of marine micro-organisms, microbes, protozoan, zooplanktons, phytoplankton, diatoms etc.,along with and releasing them in other geographical territories. Pheidole megacephala Clidemia hirta


Slide 11:Ballast water is now regarded as the most important vector for trans-oceanic and inter-oceanic movements of shallow-water coastal organisms. Mnemiopsis leidyi (Comb Jelly) Cryphonectria parasitica


Slide 12:Basic patterns of invasions and invasibility are: The high susceptibility of island communities to invasion by mainland species, with subsequent extinction of island endemics and replacement by mainland species. The dominance of the earth’s largest landmass, Eurasia, as a primary source of successful invaders throughout the rest of the world and Relatively low proportion of successful invaders in Eurasia in comparison with the rest of the world. Vespula vulgaris Eichhornia crassipes


Slide 13:The Other Methods are: By-product of human commerce :Translocated in packaging material, timber, produce, soil, and plants. Introduced for biological control Wind: Movement of winged queens. Agriculture (local): Deliberate spread by agricultural officials. Imported/ Exported for Ornamental value of the species Self-propelled Introduced for sports fishing Introduced for food value . A weed of pasture and plantation Nursery Trade Horticulture The species associated with Fruit Export/Import Asterias amurensis Eichhornia crassipes


Slide 14:(Eurasian species have had far greater opportunities to disperse throughout because of the pre-eminence of Europe as a center of exploration and trade. However, the trade and transport are a two way process, with the return of trade goods, raw material and agriculture products, probably containing as much invaders from other regions as have been dispersed out of Europe. The interpretation that Eurasian species tend to be better competitors than other organisms from other continents is consistent with both prehistoric and historical patterns of extinction and invasion). Clarias batrachus Euphorbia esula


Slide 15:Organisms in relation to Invasions: The introduction or invasion of a species in alien area is a first step yet not necessarily most critical. All introduced species are not successful invaders. There should be some relationship between the biological properties of the invading species and the properties of ecosystem that it invades. The damage by Invasives is colossal, both ecological and economic. It’s a challenge to the world, to the biodiversity, to the endemics and to the biodiversity conservation. Cyprinus carpio Fallopia japonica


Slide 16:For millennia, the natural barriers of oceans, mountains, rivers and deserts provided the isolation essential for unique species and ecosystems to evolve. In just a few hundred years these barriers have been rendered ineffective by major global forces that combined to help alien species travel vast distances to new habitats and become alien invasive species. Gambusia affinis Hedychium gardnerianum


Slide 17:The Islands face the highest risk of the Impact of Invasiveness. The Island Species have a poor competitive ability than the mainland species and generally have a smaller variety and total amount of resources (e.g., plant seeds, insects) than do the mainlands, the Island Species may tend to be generalized to use a broader range of resources than the mainland species and thus are unlikely to have the high efficacy that results from specialization on particular resources It is thus a paradise for mainland species to invade Islands and eradicate the natives. The native Island species are at risk. Lates niloticus Hiptage benghalensis


Slide 18:Extent of Economic Loss (US $ million) Introduced Pests US India Weeds Crops 27.9 37.8 Pastures 6.0 0.92 Vertebrates Crops 1.0 - Arthropods Crops 15.9 16.8 Forests 2.1 - Plant Path Crops 23.5 35.5 Forests 2.1 - Total 78.5 91.02 Source: David Pimental et al.,2001. Economic and environmental threats of alien Plant, animal and microbe invasions, Ecosystems and Environment, 84 Salmo trutta Imperata cylindrica Acacia mearnsii


Slide 19:Extent of Invasion in US and India United States India ______________________________________ Category Total Alien Total Alien __________________________________________________ Plants 42,000 25,000 45,000 18,000 Mammals 346 20 390 30 Birds 650 97 1,221 4 Reptiles and 247 53 741 NA Amphibians Fishes (Freshwater) 938 138 2,546 300 Arthropods 650,000 4,500 54,430 1,100 Microbes 134,644 20,000 NA NA Source: David Pimental et al.,2001. Economic and environmental threats of alien Plant, animal and microbe invasions, Ecosystems and Environment Bufo marinus Lantana camara Asparagus densiflorus


Slide 20:Species enters dispersal pathways 10 % Established as Casual Species 10 %Species survives dispersal and Is introduced into a habitat What it takes to be invasive? 10% Spread INVASIVE 90%Naturalized 90% fails to disperse 90% fails to establish Source: Suresh Babu et .al, 2003 A successful invasion is a rare event. An accepted thumb rule is that only 10% introduced species become naturalized, and only one in 10 among the latter actually turn invasive because a species arriving in a new community faces a series of filters, like Leucaena leucocephala


Slide 21:Environmental filters of the natural Habitat Geographical Filters >100 kms Environmental Barriers in Invaded Habitats Local and regional dispersal barriers Reproductive Barriers Natural Barriers filtering Species Invasions Environmental filters in managed habitat Non-native Casual Naturalized Invasive Source: Suresh Babu et .al, 2003 Trachemys scripta elegans Lythrum salicaria Syzygium cumini


Slide 22:Ecological paradox But the ecological paradox is that, 1. Usually even if a species is present in small numbers, its breeding options are low. This genetic bottleneck might cause it to become extinct. But invasive species manage to break the bottle neck with flourish, and after establishment can explode in numbers. 2.Some species may be intrinsically better competitors because they evolved in a more competitive environment and 3.Lastly, the absence of enemies like herbivores in case of plants-gives the non-indigenous species more resource to grow, reproduce and eventually out-compete the native species. Cervus elaphus Mimosa pigra


Slide 23:Should have very high fecundity rate even in unfavorable conditions High compatibility to survive in the Alien Ecosystem High genetic viability and Strong potential to compete with other native species. Animal Species to become a successful Invader? Acridotheres tristis Melaleuca quinquenervia Trogoderma granarium


Slide 24:Plant Species to become a successful Invader? 1.Should have long-lived seeds for discontinuous germination 2.Grows rapidly from vegetative to reproductive stage 3.Is capable of very high seed output when environmental conditions are favorable. 4.Produces seeds continuously throughout the growth period and in range of environmental conditions. 5.Is built to disperse seeds over short and long distances and 6.It has a strong potential to compete with other species. Pycnonotus cafer Miconia calvescens


Slide 25:No criteria have yet been agreed upon for the minimum damage, spread or size of population needed for an alien species to be considered invasive. However, it is clear that a very small number of individuals, representing a small fraction of the genetic variation of the species in its native range, can be enough to generate, through its reproduction and spread, massive environmental damage in a new environment. Capra hircus Mikania micrantha


Slide 26:Naturalized Invasive Species Once established and naturalized detection and prevention of invasive species becomes next to impossible. The only hope is to control contamination, or completely eliminate the threat. Options to control spreads are limited. Though weeds can easily be mechanically removed but it rarely works, as in case of Lantana or introduced deers in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1915. Even controlled fire does not work for many weeds. Indeed, the effect is often a fire-cleared field, now made ready for invasive to take over. Felis catus Morella faya Parthenium hysterophorus


Slide 27:Aspects needed to be studied about the Invaders Category, whether plant, animal ( aquatic or land) Area of Invasion, whether, Agriculture land, wetlands ( fresh water or marine) Original habitat of Invasion Reasons for dispersal ( Accidental, Human interface, experimental or sudden out break) Impacts on natives, habitats, ecosystem, crops, food, elimination of natives by competing for food Geographical range of the species Invasion pathways( Like ,Agriculture: Translocated in soil, produce and timber. Aircraft: Transported in packaging material, timber.Military: Transported in road vehicles, machinery, boats, and aircraft.Nursery trade: Transported in soil and produce.Other: Deliberate introductions for biological control of plant pests on coconut, coffee and cacao plantations. Herpestes javanicus Ophiostoma ulmi


Slide 28:(Contd.) Road vehicles (long distance): Transported in soil, packaging materials, pallets.Sea freight (container/bulk): Transported in goods, packaging, and pallets in container. Local Dispersal Methods: Boat: Translocated in packaging material, timber, produce, soil, and plants.Other (local): Redistribution for biological control on coconut, coffee, and cacao plantations. Wind: Movement of winged queens. Management Informations: Nutrition Reproductive Mode Reproductive Output: Lifecycle Stages Economic importance of the Invader introduced for biocontrol Economical loss to the invaded ecosystem Extent of degradation brought about to the invaded ecosystem Loss to biodiversity Threat to endemics. Species effected or likely to be effected. Challenges to the conservation managers etc. etc. Aspects needed to be studied about the Invaders Macaca fascicularis Opuntia stricta


Slide 29:The Criminal Invasive Alien Species in India (IAS) 123 Species Some Case Studies: Mus musculus Phytophthora cinnamomi Sphagneticola trilobata


Slide 30:List of all species in the Global Invasive Species Database: (388 species) Pinus pinaster Ulex europaeus Psidium guajava


Slide 31:List of the 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species : Mustela erminea Pinus pinaster Ipomoea aquatica


Slide 32:Marine Invasive Species Introduced via the Shipping Industry Prosopis glandulosa


Slide 33:Invasive Reptilian Species Colubrina asiatica Norops sagrei


Slide 34:More Predictive Research : To manage invasive, one has to predict where it will attack. Globally, relevant ecological and climatic data, and computational abilities to process such huge data sets, have evolved recently . In India, such forecasting is rare. Wanted ? Myocastor coypus Spartina anglica


Slide 35:Invasive Alien Species and the Legislations No law on this seems to exist , at present in India. On lines with the International Plant Protection Convention, India is formulating regulations that prevent the introduction and spread of plants and plant products, based on the phytosanitary certificates between the countries. It aims at quarantine control, risk analysis and other measures to prevent the establishment and spread of all alien invasive species. The International Marine Organisations suggests methods of managing Ballast Water to prevent marine invasions. The Cartagena Protocol, a supplementary agreement to Convention on Biodiversity, seeks to protect biological diversity from potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology. It establishes an ‘advance informed agreement’ procedure to ensure that countries have information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to import of modified organisms. Under the new regulations, import of germ plasm, transgenic or genetically modified organisms will be overseen by the National Beaureu of Plant Genetic Resource. Oryctolagus cuniculus Psidium cattleianum Spathodea campanulata


Slide 36:IUCN Guidelines for the Prevention of Biodiversity Loss caused by Invasive Alien Species (IAS) IUCN undertakes to actively participate in the processes and meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to implement article 8(h) by providing Scientific, technical and policy advice on the following issues: 1.Understanding and awareness: Based on the knowledge and informations. 2. Prevention and Introduction:P & I of Alien Invasive species is the cheapest, most effective and most preferred option. Arundo donax


Slide 37:3. Eradication and control: When a potential or actual ALIEN Invasive has been detected or when the prevention was not successful, the steps to mitigate adverse impacts include eradication, containment and control. Eradication aims to completely remove the Alien Species. And Control aims for long term reduction in abundance or density of of IAS. 4. Formulation of Holistic Policy: legal and institutional approach by each country to threats from IAS as a pre-requisite to conserving biological diversity at National, regional and global levels. IUCN will maintain and develop links and cooperative programmes with other organisations involved in this issue, like UNEP, FAO, Scientific Committee on Problems of Environment, World Trade Organisations (WTO) and International NGOs, parties on CITES and CBD, Ramsar Convention and South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Anoplophora glabripennis Azolla pinnata


Slide 38:Conclusions:1. Invading species are identified as being indigenous to regions other than the area being invaded, there is essentially no biological difference between the process of invasion and the process of colonisation or recolonisation of areas by native plants. 2.Interspecific competition and other interactions ultimately regulate community structure and species diversity in natural communities. They also regulate the success and failure of invading species. 3. The life histories of the invaders are strongly constrained by the frequency of disturbance. 4. Most serious effects of invading plants occur when they alter the environment they invade. Rattus rattus Pueraria montana var. lobata


Slide 39:Sciurus carolinensis Rubus ellipticus 5.Endemism and invasions represent ecological phenomena at extremes of several contexts of evolutionary and ecological process. The environmental conditions that allow the evolution and survival of endemic species, namely low rates of competitive displacement and low frequency of major disturbances, also allow high diversity plant communities with many endemic species to be easily invaded by exotic species. 6.Fortunately the same conditions also prevent the invading species from dominating the community and reducing species diversity unless the invasion is accompanied by a change in the disturbance regime of the community


Slide 40:7.Ecosystems in productive environments are quite resistant to invasion under natural conditions of low disturbance frequencies. The properties of the species that influence their ability to resist invasion or survive in the presence of exotic species of competitors or predators are largely the result of their evolutionary history. 8.The vulnerability of island species to extinction caused by competition or by predation by introduced predators is responsible for most of the extinctions that have occurred as a result of phenomenal increase in the transport and dispersal of species by human activities. Anthonomus grandis Carijoa riisei


Slide 41:There are numerous natural and ecological filters that the invasive species has to pass through before the species is naturalized. Once established and naturalized detection and prevention of invasive species becomes next to impossible. The only hope is to control contamination, or completely eliminate the threat. Options to control spreads are limited. Though weeds can easily be mechanically removed but it rarely works, as in case of Lantana. Even controlled fire does not work for many weeds. Indeed, the effect is often a fire-cleared field, now made ready for invasive to take over. Canis lupus Canna indica


Slide 42:The Phenomenon of Invasion is a great challenge to Biodiversity, Endemics, Ecosystems, Conservation and Conservation Managers. It involves complex, multiple aspect and multi-disciplinary studies with follow ups. Thank you Dr.Vinod Khanna Sus scrofa Schinus terebinthifolius