An Invasive Species Management Framework

The Kakadu case study provides some insight into the range of problems that managers responsible for invasive species management have to deal with. Some invasive species are still only potential problems that are best dealt with by preventing them from entering the Park. Others have been controlled to the point where their spread can probably be contained. Complete eradication may be an option for some invasive species, whereas others are so well established that we wonder if there is anything that can be done to manage them.

This case study demonstrates the range of management responses and the different stages of the invasion process. In this Topic we will use an invasive species management framework that organises management action within the stages of the invasion process. This framework is available on the internet as the Global Invasive Species Program (GISP) Online Toolkit by Wittenberg and Cock 2001.

The GISP network is an international partnership dedicated to addressing the global threat of invasive species. They have been leaders internationally in invasive species management.

The GISP recognises the following four steps for dealing with invasive alien species:

1. Prevention
2. Early Detection
3. Eradication
4. Control

The relationship between these management options and the process of species introductions is shown in the diagram in the summary page of the GISP Toolkit (Wittenberg & Cock 2001).

In this Topic we will use the GISP Toolkit to examine each of these four steps in turn before considering some of the factors that limit the effectiveness of our attempts to implement all of these approaches. The GISP toolkit does not provide all the answers, rather it provides a framework, within which countries can develop effective invasive species strategy and/or against which existing strategies can be evaluated (as you will do for part of the assessment in this Topic). Importantly, it also encourages a consistent approach to invasive species management across national and international boundaries. It was prepared by an international team of respected scientists and includes contributions from Australia.

The next four Activities in this topic relate directly to materials developed by the GISP. You will be directed to read specific sections about this framework. These readings will help you to recognise the components of a "model" invasive species management program.

• Introduction
• Invasive Species Management in Kakadu
• An Invasive Species Management Framework
• Strategy and Policy
• Prevention
  • What is risk assessment?
  • Weediness and WRA
• Early Detection
• Control
  • The management of Black Sigatoka
  • The management of Mimosa Pigra
• Current Constraints on Good Management

• Activity 4.1
• Activity 4.2
• Reading List

• Assignment 3