1. Biological Invasions in the Forests: An overview
T.V.Sajeev
Scientist
Forest Health
Kerala Forest Research Institute

2. Invasive species- what are they?
Plants, animals and microbes non-native to a specific ecosystem whose introduction will cause economic and ecological harm and/or harm to human health

3. Mikania micrantha

4. Theory of invasion The enemy release hypothesis
Novel weapon hypothesis
Evolution of increased competitive ability hypothesis

5. A widespread and significant component of human-caused global environmental change- the least reversible.
One of the most serious environmental challenges we face today
Invasive plants invade ecosystems, spread quickly, displace native plants, monopolize resources, upset ecological equilibrium, finally leading to formation of a large monoculture of invasive plants

6. Biological attributes contributing to the success of Invasive Species include
Phenotypic plasticity Dispersal benefits Widespread geographic range Vegetative reproduction Fire tolerance Better competitive, resource capture and utilization abilities than native plants Allelopathy

7. Chromolaena odorata

8. Introduction of invasive species
Inadvertent – unintentional hitchhiking through international trade and travel
(ships, planes, shipping containers, packing materials, unprocessed logs, fruits, seeds – a by product of global trade and travel)

9. Parthenium hysterophorus

10. Intentional - relate to human interest in nurturing species that are helpful to him
Agricultural, forestry, ornamental species, dietary needs
There is a third kind- species imported for a limited purpose which then escape

12. Why invasive species are a problem?
Economic damage
Costs 1.4 trillion dollars globally – 5% of global economy
Overall losses in many countries – over 1% of GDP
Costs – 15 billion dollars to China
136 b dollars to the US
Approx. 200 b dollars annually to the Asia- Pacific region

13. Other harmful effects Ecosystem
alters ecosystem processes, hydrology, primary productivity, decomposition, nutrient cycling, fire regimes, damage through broadcast of pesticides and herbicides, affect closely related indigenous species by hybradization, changes soil structure and profile
Human health and well being
allergic responses, spread of diseases

14. Aesthetics
death of vegetation, smothering of native plants
Native biodiversity
population decline through altering of ecosystem processes, allelopathy
Also, invasive species interact with other global changes like land use change

15. Eichornia crassipes

16. Impact on
Forests, agricultural land, plantations, grasslands, arid lands, oceans, lakes, streams, water quality, fisheries, animal husbandry, roads, water ways, recreational sites and wild life populations
Invasion of birds and fishes not as frequent as invasion by plants

17. Pueraria montana

18. The Earth is essentially a loaded
gun of exotic species problems
We transport species freely across barriers
because we forget that the ecological and
co-evolutionary setting of plants is a key to their
identity, population traits and ability to invade.

19. Impatiens glandulifera

21. What shall we do? Awareness raising
convincing our colleagues, students, NGO’s and the public
wide publicity- media, exhibiting posters at ports
local bodies allocating funds to conserve
biodiversity, local life style and tourism
Develop better policies and legal frame work
New Zealand Biosecurity Act
Australian, US and the Canadian Policies

23. India is a signatory of both the Convention of Biological diversity and World Trade Organization
Article 8 h of the CBD emphasizes on prevention of introduction of Invasive alien species

24. Giant african snail (Achatina fulica)

25. There is no cohesive policy to deal with invasive species in India
MoEF is still in the process of developing policies and strategies for their management
Early detection and rapid response
Pest risk assessments, surveys
International and regional collaborations
– training and sharing of expertise

26. Early detection and prevention are the most effective and cost efficient strategies to combat invasive species
Direct control of existing populations are rarely successful unless combined with cultural practices
Ecological restoration of the weed free habitat is the key to successful eradiation of invasive plants

27. Mimosa invisa

28. Protected area IAS programs
Assess invasive species threats (existing and potential)
Prevent new invasions and the spread of established invasives
Control high priority IAS in high priority places
Restore / rehabilitate native species and communities in high priority places

29. What should be included in a Protected area IAS assessment?
There are several methods for evaluating the overall threat of IAS for a Protected Area or a Protected Area system
Good ones should clearly state:
The exact area covered.
The conservation goals (values to be protected including target species and communities) and management objectives
The IAS which are currently present / absent and mapped locations (if possible);
The IAS which have impacts on conservation goals and management objectives:
The important pathways/ vectors for IAS entry and dispersal.
Prediction of future spread and impact of IAS if not controlled.
Capacity of existing staff and resources to adequately prevent and control IAS and the damages they cause

30. Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network(
A cooperative alliance of 33 member countries in the Asia-Pacific region
Goal- cooperation among the member countries that helps to detect and prevent incursions of invasive species and monitor, eradicate or control

31. Blue gum chalcid (Leptocybe invasa)

32. Objectives
Awareness raising
Information exchange
Capacity building
Develop action plans in combating invasive species through regional collaboration

33. Thanks