Target 6
Reduce the Introduction of Invasive Alien Species by 50% and Minimize Their Impact
Eliminate, minimize, reduce and or mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem services by identifying and managing pathways of the introduction of alien species, preventing the introduction and establishment of priority invasive alien species, reducing the rates of introduction and establishment of other known or potential invasive alien species by at least 50 per cent, by 2030, eradicating or controlling invasive alien species especially in priority sites, such as islands.
GSAP SKILLS rationale
Invasive alien species (IAS) are a major threat to native species, especially on islands and in freshwater systems. Eradication or control of such species can result in rapid recovery of native species and habitats, and technological and methodological advances mean that such interventions are feasible at increasingly large scales.
Eliminate, minimize, reduce and or mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem services by identifying and managing pathways of the introduction of alien species, preventing the introduction and establishment of priority invasive alien species, reducing the rates of introduction and establishment of other known or potential invasive alien species by at least 50 per cent, by 2030, eradicating or controlling invasive alien species especially in priority sites, such as islands.
GSAP SKILLS rationale
Invasive alien species (IAS) are a major threat to native species, especially on islands and in freshwater systems. Eradication or control of such species can result in rapid recovery of native species and habitats, and technological and methodological advances mean that such interventions are feasible at increasingly large scales.
Rationale
GSAP
Invasive alien species are a major threat to native species, especially on islands and in freshwater systems. Eradication or control of such species can result in rapid recovery of native species and habitats, and technological and methodological advances mean that such interventions are feasible at increasingly large scales.
GSAP SKILLS
Actions recommended in the GSAP cover four main areas: polices, strategy and legislation; controlling pathways of introduction of IAS; eradication and control of the most harmful species; building capacity.
Actions
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6.1. Enact strategies, policies, and legislation to reduce impacts of invasive alien species on native species.
6.2. Control pathways of introduction of IAS, particularly the most harmful species.
6.3. Eradicate, or control, IAS that have the most harmful impacts upon wild species.
6.4. Build capacity, stakeholder engagement and public awareness of the impacts of invasive alien species.
Primary tools and resources
IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
The ISSG is a network of global species on IAS. It facilitates the exchange of information and knowledge on IAS across the world and promotes linkages between knowledge, practice and policy to inform decision-making. The two core activity areas of the ISSG are policy and technical advice, and information exchange through online resources and tools and networking. ISSG is currently working with partners on a global initiative, the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS) (site is under development), which is aimed at developing national-level validated, and annotated inventories of IAS. ISSG is also working with partners on to develop a prototype online resource IAS pathway management – the Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource. It will include information on IAS pathways and legal information related to the management of specific pathways.
The Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT)
EICAT is the IUCN global standard for measuring the severity of environmental impacts caused by alien species. EICAT is a key tool for prioritising alien species that could lead to the most harmful environmental impacts, helping to make the best use of resources to prevent or limit their negative consequences. EICAT classifies alien species into one of eight categories (see figure) according to the severity of their impact on native species and whether the impact is reversible The EICAT Categories and Criteria provide a simple, objective, and transparent classification method. The EICAT Guidelines provide detailed assistance in the application of the categories and criteria.
EICAT can be applied at national, regional, and global levels. All global EICAT assessments are published on IUCN’s Global Invasive Species Database. The EICAT Authority is the governing body coordinating the EICAT assessment process and it is responsible for carrying out the majority of assessments and implementing the review process. The EICAT Authority is composed of experts on specific taxonomic groups or geographic regions.
Global Invasive Alien Species Information Partnership
Global Invasive Alien Species Information Partnership (GIASI Partnership) supports CBD Parties who are committed to implementing the various decisions under the CBD pertaining to the prevention, eradication, and control of invasive alien species.
IPBES Thematic Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Control
The IPBES Thematic Assessment of Invasive Alien Species and their Control was adopted in September 2023 and synthesizes information from over 13,000 references on IAS into a comprehensive scientific assessment and a concise summary document for policy makers. The assessment assesses the current status and trends of invasive alien species, their impacts, drivers, management, and policy options to address the challenges they pose. It results from four years of work by experts from 49 countries.
A global register of competences for threatened species recovery practitioners
This document is a directory of the skills, knowledge and personal attributes required by practitioners working in threatened species recovery programmes, in both in-situ and ex-situ contexts. Its structure consists of 19 categories of competence arranged in three main groups: Planning, Management and Administration; Threatened Species Recovery; and General Personal Competences. Within each of the three categories, specific competences are defined for up to four professional levels: Executive, Senior Manager, Middle Manager/Technical Specialist and Skilled Worker.
How to use
The register can be downloaded at: https://portals.iucn.org/library/efiles/documents/2021-09-En.pdf
Global invasive species database (GISD)
The Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) is a free, online source of information about alien and invasive species that have a negative impact on biodiversity. The database covers all taxonomic groups from micro-organisms to animals and plants and it aims to increase public awareness and to facilitate effective prevention and management of invasive species by disseminating specialist knowledge and experience to a global audience. The Global Invasive Species Database is managed by the IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
