Unit 1

Introduction to Invasive
Alien Species
Overview of the Problem
-
Randy G. Westbrooks
Rebecca M. Westbrooks
Steven Manning

Global Invasive Species Programme

Cape Town, South Africa
 Unit Objectives
Understand and describe the nature of the IAS problem
List some of the major characteristics of IAS
Discuss a few of the worlds worst IAS
Discuss the basic ecological, economic and public health
impacts of IAS
Describe the process of biological invasions
Give examples of intentional and unintentional introductions
List major pathways and vectors of primary and secondary
spread
Explain difficulties with predicting invasiveness of organisms
Discuss some of the factors that are enhancing the global
spread of IAS
 Session Outline and Agenda
1100-1125. Session 1. Introduction to Invasive Alien Species.
1125-1145. Session 2. Human Facilitated Spread of Plants and
Animals Whos Using Who?
1145 1200. Lab Exercise.

1200 1300. Lunch.

1300-1330. Session 3. Predicting Invasiveness Forewarned Is

Forearmed!
1330-1400. Session 4. Factors Enhancing the Spread of IAS.

1400-1445. Lab Exercises.

1445-1450. Review of Major Concepts in Unit 1.

1450-1500. Break.
 Session 1. Introduction to IAS.
1.1. Overview of the Problem.
Crop Pests Historic Struggle
Between Man and Nature
Invasive Alien Species (IAS)
Plants/Animals Outside their Native
Range Due to Trade and Travel
Ecological Impacts Hydrology,
Sediments, Soil & Water Chemistry,
Disruption of Fire Cycles
Economic and Social Losses - $300+
Billion Globally, Deplete Water Supplies,
Famine/Disease, Grazing Lands, Noise
Pollution
Ports of Entry First Line of
Defense Against IAS
 1.1.2. IAS - Ecosystems out of Balance
Origin of IAS
Remove Top
Predators
Insert New Exotic
Species Without
Co-Evolved
Predators and
Parasites Food Web

Beaver

Simple Food Chain

Eastern Gray
Squirrel
 1.1.3. Evolution in Isolation
Recreation of a Virtual Pangaea
Super-continents
Columbia 1.5 Billion Yr BP
Rodinia 700 Million BP
Pangaea 180 Million Yr BP
Evolution in Isolation
Ecological Explosion
8,600 Birds (4X #)
Global Spread of IAS
Recreating a Virtual Pangaea
Homogeocene

Pangaea
 1.2. Characteristics of IAS.
Abundant in Natural Range
History of Invasiveness Outside Natural Range
Wide Distribution in Different Habitats

Fast Growth, Early Maturity

High Reproduction; Seed Dormancy
Allelopathy

Prickles, Spines, Thorns

Parasitism
Same Size/Shape as Crop Seeds

Ability to Go without Food/Water

Roots/Rhizomes with Large Storage
Efficient Means of Spread Purple nutsedge (Cyperus
rotundus) the perfect weed.

Close Association with Humans

 1.3. Characteristics of Invaded Habitats.

Ecological Similarities
Between Origin and
Receiving Ecosystems
Lack of Co-evolved
Predators and Parasites B

Other IAS already

A
Established
High Degree of
Disturbance
Secondary Pathways and A. Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia. B.
Florida Everglades, United States.
Vectors for Further Spread
1.4. Overview of IAS Taxa Groups.

Invasive Plants,
Insects, Diseases,
Aquatic Nuisance
Species, and
Injurious Wildlife.
 1.4.1. Invasive Plants.

250,000 Plants in the World

22,000 Invasive Plants
Definitions
Invasive Plant = Weed
Noxious Weed = Regulated Melaleuca
Weed
Pond Apple
Melaleuca and Pond Apple
Tale of Two Weeds in North
America and Australia
 1.4.2. Insects.
30 Million Insect Species
500,000 Species of Beetles
Desert Locust
Africa, Middle East, Asia
Swarms
1,200 km2
96 Billion Individuals
240,000 Metric Tons
Losses
Morocco 1954 ($50 Million in
6 Weeks)
Ethiopia 1958 (167,000 Tons
of Grain Feed 1 Million
People for a Year
Mauritania, July, 1994
 1.4.3. Aquatic Nuisance Species.
ANS Factoids
21 Billion Gallons
Ballast Water Per Year -
(USA)
3,000 ANS Moving in
Ballast Water Around
the World
ANS Taxa
Aquatic Weeds (Water
Hyacinth)
Aquatic Invertebrates
(Zebra Mussel)
Aquatic Vertebrates
(Nile Perch)
 1.44. Injurious Wildlife

Terrestrial Vertebrates
Intentionally Established
Game Animals

Domestic Animals

IW Examples
Nutria
Eastern Gray Squirrel

Australian Brushtail Possum

 1.5.1. Ecological Impacts of IAS.
Threaten Endangered
Species Fynbos South Africa
Crowd out Natives
Compete with Natives for
Resources, Space, Light
Disrupt Trophic Level
Relationships Argentine Ant
Increase Disturbance
Regimes that Natives are not Old World Climbing Fern in Florida
Adapted to (e.g., Wildfires) Cheatgrass in the American West
Hybridize with Natives Mallard Duck
Cause Habitat Loss
 1.52. Economic Effects of IAS.

USA: $150 Billion

India: US$117 Billion
South Africa: US$17.5 Billion
United Kingdom: US$12 Billion
Australia: AUS$10 Billion
New Zealand: US$10 Billion
Africa (Aquatic Weed Control): $US60 Million
 1.5.2.2. Economic Impacts of IAS.
Direct Losses
Crop Losses (India 20% Per
Year)
Loss of Exports
Karnal Bunt of Wheat
Loss of Pasture Productivity
Cogongrass
Loss of Fisheries
Nile Perch
Indirect Losses
Flooding (Water Hyacinth)
Landslides (Miconia)
Damage to Dams (Nutria)
Increased Wildfires
(Cheatgrass)
Loss of Tourism (Spotted
Knapweed)
 1.53. Public Health Impacts.
Diseases
1999 - West Nile Virus -
USA
9,862 People Infected
264 People Died
2003 SARS in China
$17 Billion Tourism Losses
Stings - Allergic
Reactions
Imported Red Fire Ant
Africanized Honey Bee
Session 2. Spread of Plants and Animals
Whos Using Who?

Reversion of
Cultivars to Wild
Forms
Olives
Granny Smith
Apple
 1.6. Process of Invasion.

Primary Introduction
Establishment
Monterey Pine in NZ,
AUS
Secondary Spread
Vehicles, Trains,
Trailers, Animals
 1.6.2. The IAS Lag Phase.
Melaleuca in the Florida Everglades.

Florida Everglades
River of Grass, Tree Islands
80 Miles wide, 1/3 M Deep
1906 Introduced from AUS
1936 - Aerial Seeding with
Melaleuca
1970s Rapid Spread
throughout the Glades
1990s 200,000 ha Infested
 1.7. Intentional Introductions.
1.7.1. Introductions that become Invasive.
Agricultural Crops
Tall Fescue - Pastures
Forestry Species
Leucaena - Africa
Erosion Control
Kudzu - USA
Aid Trade
Cordia - Vanuatu
Ornamental Plants
Siam Weed - Africa
Germplasm
Disease Infected
Wheat
 1.7. Intentional Introductions.
1.7.1. Introductions that become Invasive.
Game Animals
Sika Deer - USA
Mammals as Food
Source on Islands
Feral Pigs, Goats
Biocontrol Agents
Cane Toad - AUS
Fishery Releases
Nile Perch Lake
Victoria, Africa
Pets Released in Wild
Burmese Python - USA
Aquaculture Escapes
LA Crayfish - Africa
 1.7.1.2. Unauthorized Intentional
Introductions (Smuggling).

Chinese Water Spinach

(Ipomoea aquatica)
 1.8. Unintentional Introductions.

Adaptations for Spread

Plants Burs (Cocklebur),
Seed Sails, Floating Seeds
Animals Dog Tick
Stowaways
Khapra Beetle
Hitchhikers
Snails Khapra beetle

Contaminants (Co-
mingled)
Weed Seed in Crop Seed
Jointed Goatgrass in Wheat
 1.8. Unintentional Introductions. Contd.
Hitchhikers on Nursery
Plants
Pink Hibiscus Mealybug
Hitchhikers on Cut
Flowers
Leaf Miners
Soil Pests
Clemora smithi (Sugarcane White
Grub) Transferred from
Barbados to Mauritius in
Sugarcane
Planes, Trains, Vehicles,
Equipment
Giant African Snail
Mail
Crazy Yellow Ant
Ballast Soil and Water
Chinese Mitten Crab
Hull Fouling Organisms
 Case Study: Yellow Crazy Ants on Christmas Island
1930 Introduced to
Christmas Island*
1990s Population Exploded
Forms Multi-Queen Super
Colonies
Up to 700 ha in Size
Overwhelms and Kills Native
Species
Red Land Crabs
1995-2002 - 10-20 Million Killed
Robber Crabs, Native Reptiles
Native Invertebrates

Control Toxic Bait 99%

Effective
Fipronil in Fish Meal (0.6 gm/ha)

*1528 km NW of AUS; Possession of

AUS
 1.8.1. Case Study: Serrated Tussock in the U.S.
Description: Annual Grass
Origin: Argentina
Threat: Serious Pasture Weed,
Minimal Nutrient Value
Areas Affected: AUS, NZ
1989 Introduction to USA
Nine Infested Shipments from ARG
Loophole in FNWA Seed Shipments
Exempt from Regulation under the Law
Federal Judge Ruled Intent of Law
Included Seed Shipments
Results
Large Amount Re-exported to Canada,
Japan
5,000 kg (11,000 lbs.) Burned in Kentucky
6,800 kg (15,000 lbs.) Buried in Landfill in
Missouri
Small Amount Hydroseeded onto
Stripmine Reclamation Sites in Kentucky
1.9.1. Pathways of Unintentional Spread.

Commercial Shipping
Ships
Planes
Trains
Vehicles Trucks
People Movers
Ships, Planes, Trains,
Vehicles
People
Beggar-lice on
Trousers
 1.9.2.2. Unintentional Spread by Cargo and
Commodities.
Cargo Wide Range
of Commercial Goods
Military Equipment
Commodity
Homogeneous
Substances in
Commerce
Imported Fruit
Ornamental Rocks
 Unit 1 Lab Exercise 1.
IAS in Participant Countries.

1. Name five introduced species in your country

that are not considered to be invasive.

2. Name five introduced species in your country

that are considered to be invasive.
 Lunch!
Sponsored by:
Dr. Lynn Jackson
Global Invasive Species Programme
Capetown, South Africa
 Session 3. Predicting Invasiveness.
1.10. Methods of Predicting Invasiveness.
Criteria for IAS Prevention Program
Know About IAS Worldwide
GISP:
http://www.gisp.org/
Global Invasive Species Database:
http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/
Know Which Ones Pose a Threat to Your
Country
Characteristics of Ideal Invaders
 Session 3. Predicting Invasiveness.
1.10. Characteristics of the Ideal Invader.
Widespread in Native Range (Kudzu in
China)
History of Invasiveness Elsewhere
(Serrated Tussock in Australia)
Adapted in Wide Range of
Environments and Soils (Tropical Soda
Apple)
Rapid Growth and Maturity (Cactus
Moth)
Produces Many Offspring (Desert Locust)
Rapid Colonizer (Giant Salvinia)
Efficient Dispersal Mechanisms (Jointed
Goatgrass in Wheat)
Broad Diet (Coqui Frog)
Aggressive Behavior (Imported Fire Ant)
Close Relationship with Humans
(Oriental Cockroach)
Small in Size (Khapra Beetle)
April 5, 2005
July 13, 2005
 Session 3. Predicting Invasiveness.
1.10. Susceptibility of Environments to Invasion.

Similarities between Native

Range of IAS and Receiving
Region
IAS Already Established in the
Region
Level of Development and
Disturbance
Low Biodiversity Due to
Habitat Loss or Stressors such
as Over Grazing, Wildfires,
Clear Cutting, Water Pollution
Vectors for Secondary Spread
Isolated Communities with
High % Endemic Species
 Session 3. Predicting Invasiveness.
1.10. IAS Risk Assessment.
Regulatory Prevention Pest Risk Assessment Systems*.
USDA APHIS Weed Risk Assessment System
Prohibited Listing Approach
AUS AQIS Weed Risk Assessment System
Permitted Listing Approach - 49 Questions
Score < 1 (Permitted Entry)
Score 1 6 (Evaluated Further)
Score > 6 (Prohibited Entry)
Ranking of Established IAS
NatureServe I-Ranking (400 Species Ranked)

*More in Unit 7.
 Session 4. Factors Enhancing Spread of IAS.
1.11. IAS and Globalization.

The Global Village

Instant Communications
Global Trade, Travel

Homogenization of Worlds Flora & Fauna

Species Introductions Social, Economic Reasons
 The Homogeocene

Homogenizing the Worlds Flora and

Fauna.........

Our Legacy?
The Great American Exchange
Panama Land Bridge, 3 Million Yr. BP

North American
Mammals

South American
Marsupials
 Session 4. Factors Enhancing Spread of IAS.
1.12. IAS and Changing Land Use Patterns.

Human Development and

Habitation - Civilization
Habitat Fragmentation,
Attract Wildlife, Attract IAS
Source Areas for Horticultural IAS
Nutrient Rich Urban Lawns
and Gardens (Chinese
Wisteria)
Higher # IAS Around
Population Centers
More People = More IAS
Dar es Salaam, Askari Monument
Purple Loosestrife Campbell
Creek, Anchorage, Alaska
Roads and Highways
Connecting People Spreading IAS
Japanese Hops, Connecticut, USA
Johnsongrass, North Carolina, USA
 1.13. IAS and Global Climate Change.
Cause and Effect.

Land Use Changes (Habitat Fragmentation

and Destruction)
Build up of Greenhouse Gases (Global
Warming, Sea Level Rise, Ecosystem Demise)
Air & Water Pollution (Threat to
Environmental/Human Health
Spread of Invasive Species (Threat to
Biodiversity and Agricultural Production)
 Pleistocene Interglacial Periods.
Natural Climate Change Events in North America.
1.8 Million 11,500 Years Ago.

Average Temperature
2-3o C Higher
Plants/Animals
Migrated North
South American Tapirs
in North Carolina
Sweetgum in Canada
Manatees in New Jersey
 Potential Impacts of Modern
Global Warming
Temperatures
4-9o C Higher
Drought, Heat Waves
Melting Glaciers
Melting Snowcaps
More Rainfall, Storms,
Hurricanes
Hurricane Katrina
Sea Level Rise
0.4 - 0.5 m
Disturbance and Change..
Mt. Kilimanjaro stripped of its snowcap
for the first time in 11,000 years.
Potential Impacts of Global Warming
on Natural Ecosystems.
Disappearance of Sensitive Habitat
Alpine Meadows
Eastern Forests Changes
Mixed Woodlands and Grasslands
Northwestern Forests Lose Key Species over
Decades
Species Attempt to Migrate North.
 Species Migrations In Response to
Global Climate Change.
Vegetation Zones Shift 300
km Towards the Poles
Loblolly Pine Distribution
Move 300 Miles Northward
 Impediments to Species Migration.

Climate Change Faster than

Species can Migrate (Trees
Migrate 20-30 km per Century)
Human Settlements, Activities,
Development, Highways
Invasive Species Move in to
Southern Boundary Transition
Zones
Cogongrass in Alabama
 Invasive Species
in a Warmer World

Expand their Range, Invade New

Habitats
Compete with Stressed Natives
Create Synergistic Effects with
other Global Changes

Chinese Tallow Tree

(Triadica sebifera)
 Human Induced Global Change
Cause and Effect
Invasive
Invasive
Species Habitat Burning
Species
Land Use Destruction Fossil Air & Water
Changes Fuels
Pollution

Invasive
Species Invasive
Elevated Species
CO2
Ecosystem
Break Temperatures
Down Rise
More
More Fires
Invasive Precipitation Invasive
Species Drought Species
Sea Level Rise
 Unit 1 Major Concepts.
IAS have traits that permit them to outcompete native and
beneficial species.
IAS often invade areas that are very similar to their native
range.
Over 22,000 invasive plants have been documented.
Unlike chemical pollutants that breakdown, biological
pollutants multiply and spread.
Impact of IAS on Human Health allergies, infectious
diseases, and Stings.
Phases of Biological Invasions - Introduction,
Establishment, and Spread.
The Lag Phase a Biological Time Bomb.
The Precautionary Principle - Most effective way to
minimize further problems with IAS.
 Unit 1 Major Concepts, Contd.
About 1% of all introduced plants will become
invasive.
About 75% of all invasive plants were intentionally
introduced.
Pathways of IAS spread -Commercial Shipping, Air,
Water, and Overland Travel, People
Unintentional Introductions - Cargo and Commodities
may become infested Stowaways and Contaminants at
the point of origin, or somewhere along the transport
to a new region.
Best Predictor of Invasiveness A History of
Invasiveness Elsewhere.
Factors increasing the spread of IAS - Globalization,
Land Use Changes, and Global Climate Change.
 Unit 1 Lab Exercise 2.
Modeling Exponential Growth of Yellow Starthistle.
Year Initial Seedbank Persistent Seedlings Adult Plants Next Years Seedbank
Seeds Introduced Seedbank (Seeds that (Seedlings that =
into Seedbank = (Seeds that will Germinate will Survive to Persistent Seedbank
not Germinate and Become Maturity) (SB) +
Right Away) Seedlings) (25%) Seeds Produced This
(96%) (4%) Year (SP) =

(A)(1,000)
X SB = (X)(0.96) S = (X)(0.04) A = (S)(0.25)
= SB + SP

96 4 1 1096
0-1
100
1050 46 10.96 10,960
2
1096
3

6
 Unit 1. Exercise 3.
Pathways, Vectors, Introductions.
List major IAS at your port of entry (e.g., Ships, Planes, Vehicles, etc.).

List major IAS vectors and origins of introduced pests that pass through your
port (Types of Commodities, Ballast Water, etc.).

List one authorized intentionally introduced species that has become invasive in
your country. Why/when was it introduced? What impacts is it having?

List one unauthorized intentionally introduced species (smuggled) that has

become invasive in your country. Why/when was it introduced? What impacts
is it having?

List one unintentionally introduced species (stowaway, hitchhiker, or

contaminant) that has become established and invasive in your country. How
was it introduced (pathway, vector)? When was it introduced? What impacts is
it having?
 Unit 1. Exercise 4.
IAS Risk Assessment.

List characteristics of successful invaders.

What kind of regulatory pest risk assessment

system does your country use (permitted listing
approach, prohibited listing approach).
 Special Thanks:
Lynn Jackson and Philip Ivey
Global Invasive Species Programme,
Cape Town, South Africa

Janine Lloyd
USGS BRD, Whiteville, NC
Graphics, Lay Out, Design

Les Mehrhoff
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Editorial Review

White Sands Hotel and Resort

Jangwani Beach, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania