Transcript Slide 1

Relevance of invasive species information
management tools for policy development
and effective management
Judy Fisher
Biodiversity Information Community
for Invasive Species
Who should/could be the users of Information Tools?
•Policy Developers / Politicians
•Governments
•Funders of Invasive Species management
•Scientists
•Restoration Ecologists
•Biodiversity land managers
•Community land managers
Why do we need Biodiversity Information
Tools for Invasive Species ?
Transformation of ecosystems through invasion is seen as one
of the major threats to the world’s biodiversity
(Millenium Ecosystem Assessment 2005)
Invaders threaten biodiversity to the same degree as:
• human transformation of ecosystems and
• production of green house gases
(Sala et al 2000)
2010
Global international biodiversity targets aim to achieve a
significant reduction in the rate of loss of biodiversity.
Instrumental to this is the prevention, control and eradication of
invasive species
(Convention on Biological Diversity 2003)
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005)
“…tackling the drivers of biodiversity loss in an
integrated manner is much more likely to achieve
the 2010 targets than tackling them independently”
What are the implications for data provision through
Information Management Tools to assist an integrated
approach to tackle the invasive species driver?
Case Study Biodiversity Hot Spot
Causes and consequences of invasion in a
Biodiversity Hotspot:
Implications for
Information Management Tools
The hypothesis:
Invasion of Banksia woodland by the
introduced species Ehrharta calycina and
Pelargonium capitatum is accompanied by
an alteration in ecosystem properties and
processes
(CONSEQUENCES)
whereby the degree of change is related to
fire frequency and abundance of introduced
species
(CAUSES)
Banksia woodland
Complex species–rich
natural ecosystem major vegetation type of SW Aust
coastal sandplain
15 to 90 km inland
400 kms along
the coast
Banksia woodland
6-8 metre
Banksia attenuata
Banksia menziesii
scattered Eucalyptus gomphocephala
30 metres
diverse
shrub
understorey
ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH
Banksia Woodland
Soil seedbank
Vegetation cover
Leaf nutrients
Invertebrates
Good condition
Ehrharta calycina
Soil compaction, moisture
Soil nutrients
Disturbance history
Environmental factors
Medium condition
Pelargonium capitatum
100
Introduced species
Native species
90
Mean accumulated cover
80
15
70
16.5
60
50
a
14
18
40
30
Vegetation Cover
37.5
Summary- analysed data
ab
20
20
b
10
11.5
b
19.5
PCe
PCp
0
GC
MC
Vegetation condition
Germinants m -2
8000
7000
6000
5000
A
Native species
Introduced species
A
AB
Soil seed bank seeds/m-2
a
4000
3000
b
2000
B
b
b
PCe
PCp
1000
0
GC
MC
Vegetation condition
Summary - analysed data
Summary of native seed bank data, more detailed information
than in summarised analysed data in previous seed bank graph
litter germ inants m -2
Appendix A.1
0-5 cm germ inants m -2
5-10 cm germ inants m -2
NATIVE SPECIES
FR GC1 GC2 MC1 MC2 Pce1 PCe2 PCp1 PCp2 GC1 GC2 MC1 MC2 PCe1 PCe2 PCp1 PCp2 GC1 GC2 MC1 MC2 PCe1 PCe2 PCp1 PCp2
A cacia pulchella
S
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.6
9.2
0
0
0
0
4.6
0
0
9.2
0
0
0
4.6
0
0
A nigo zanthus manglesii
S
0
0
4.6
0
0
0
4.6
0
0
0
32.3
0
36.9
0
23.1
69.2
0
0
23.1
0
4.6
4.6
4.6
0
A ustro stipa co mpressa
S
0
396.8
9.2
18.5
0
0
0
0
239.9
747.5
9.2
36.9
9.2
9.2
0
36.9
46.1
166.1
9.2
4.6
0
0
0
0
**'A ustro stipa flavescens
R
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
27.7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
**Calandrinia liniflo ra
S
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13.8
4.6
4.6
4.6
0
0
4.6
0
18.5
4.6
4.6
0
0
18.5
Calo thamnus quadrifidus
R
0
4.6
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
9.2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Co no stylis aculeata
R
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
110.7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
83.1
0
0
0
0
Co no stylis setigera
R
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
55.4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Co no stylis candicans
R
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
18.46
0
0
0
0
Co ryno theca micrantha
R
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.2
0
0
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Desmo cladus flexuo sa
R
0
9.2
0
13.8
0
0
0
0
0
46.1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.2
0
0
0
0
0
0
**'Dichisma arenaria
S
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
23.1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ficinia no do sa
R
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
Gastro lo bium capitatum
S
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Go no carpus pithyo ides
R
18.5
0
27.7
0
0
0
0
0
4.6
0
198.4
0
0
0
13.8
4.6
4.6
0
55.4
0
9.2
9.2
0
0
Hardenbergia co mpto niana
R
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ho vea trisperma
S
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13.8
23.1
0
0
0
0
0
13.8
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
Iso tro pis cuneifo lia
R
0
0
4.6
0
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
**'Juncus bufo nis
S
9.2
0
0
0
0
13.8
0
0
166.1
0
193.8
0
124.6
23.1
4.6
0
0
0
0
0
13.8
4.6
4.6
0
Lo belia tenuio r
S
0
0
13.8
0
0
0
4.6
0
13.8
0
124.6
0
13.8
13.8
18.5
13.8
69.2
0
55.4
0
9.2
4.6
0
0
M icro tis media
R
0
0
9.2
0
4.6
0
4.6
0
0
0
64.6
0
9.2
27.7
78.4
69.2
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.2
0
Ozo thamnus co rdatus
S
18.5
0
9.2
4.6
9.2
9.2
0
0
69.2
0
41.5
78.4
18.5
41.5
78.4
13.8
4.6
0
0
9.2
4.6
0
9.2
13.8
P etro phile linearis
R
0
18.5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
23.1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
**'P o ranthera micro phylla
S
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
73.8
0
9.2
0
0
0
0
0
41.5
0
32.3
0
0
0
0
Scaevo la anchusifo lia
R
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13.8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
27.7
0
0
0
0
Scaevo la canescens
R
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.6
0
0
0
**Scaevo la thesio ides
R
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
87.7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
78.4
0
0
0
0
0
0
Stirlingia latifo lia
R
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.2
4.6
0
0
0
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
Stylidium repens
S
36.9
27.7
0
0
0
0
0
0
373.7
0
9.2
0
0
0
0
0
9.2
4.6
9.2
0
0
0
4.6
0
**'Stylidium striatum
S
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13.8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Thysano tus sparteus
R
0
9.2
0
18.5
0
0
0
0
4.6
60.0
0
0
4.6
0
4.6
4.6
4.6
0.00
9.2
0
0
4.6
0
78.4
Trachymene pilo sa
S
55.4
120.0
46.1
0
0
0
0
0
253.8 1162.7
120.0
0
0
0
0
50.8
32.3
221.5
27.7
4.6
18.5
4.6
0
0
**Whalenbergia capensis
S
0
13.8
0
96.9
0
0
0
0
0
96.9
0
659.8
0
0
0
0
0
32.3
0
9.2
0
0
0
0
Xantho sia huegelii
S
9.2
0
0
4.6
0
0
0
0
129.2
175.3
0
18.5
4.6
0
0
0
41.5
4.61
0
0
0
0
0
0
Soil one component of summarised/analysed soil
data, 60 samples x 8 variables tested, 3 conditions x 2
P (Total) (mg kg-1)
Mean P(Total) (mg kg-1) in the soil (5cm) beneath native and introduced species
in different vegetation conditions in Banksia woodland, Bold Park
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
c
b
a
Total species
GC
PCe
PCp
Vegetation condition
Leaf data
Graph one nutrient Phosphorus
10 species x 4 replicates, 3 conditions x 2 replicates,
9 nutrients = 240 sets of data
Mean P (mg/kg-1) leaf concentrations (all species combined) for native
and weed species at sites (n=2) in varying condition in Banksia
woodland, Bold Park, Perth
A
0.25
A
Native species
Weed species
0.2
P (mg/kg-1)
B
a
a
0.15
0.1
b
0.05
0
Good Condition (GC)
Poor Ehrharta calycina (PCe)
Vegetation Condition
Poor Pelargonium capitatum
(PCp)
CAUSES
Fire Frequency
Statistical significance of the effect of number of fire events
(1963-2000) on vegetation variables in Banksia woodland,
southwestern Australia.
Source
df
of
variation
Fire
Events
2
Residual
5
Total
7
Veg.
Cover
Cond.
Total
0.003
*
0.055 0.012
*
Richness
Native Intro.
Total
Native
0.130 0.003 0.007
*
*
Diversity
Intro. Total
Native
0.838 0.150 0.007
*
Various plots (scatter, histograms, and normal probability) of the residuals
were examined to ensure assumptions were met
Intro.
0.194
383000
384500
6465500
Bold Park
Number of fires 1963-2000
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
6464000
383000
384500
Canopy and Fire Frequency
Relationship between number of fire events and canopy change
Canopy Gain
Canopy Loss
Area in sq metres
100000
50000
0
-50000
0
1
2
3
4
5
-100000
-150000
Number of fire events
6
7
8
Bold Park Canopy Cover 1963
Bold Park Canopy Cover 2000
Good condition
Poor Ehrharta calycina
Medium Condition
Poor Pelargonium capitatum
Light
Shade
Solutions
How do we utilise invasion
mechanisms
FIRE and SEED BANK
to achieve clever and sustainable
management interventions?
Soil seed bank
A
Germinants m -2
2500
Germinants by depth
Native
Introduced
A
2000
1500
b
1000
500
a
B
a
0
litter
0-5 cm
Soil depth
100
80
60
40
Native
20
Introduced
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Time in w eeks
No. of germinants/ 0-5cm
No. of germinants/ litter
Timing of germination
5-10 cm
100
80
60
40
Native
20
Introduced
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13 14 15
Time in w eeks
Ehrharta calycina - Seed density by depth at
sites with differing fire histories
3000
2500
litter
0-5 cm
1500
5-10 cm
1000
500
Site type
Good
Condition
18 mths
post fire
>8 yrs
post fire
0
4 mths
post fire
Seeds/m2
2000
Study Conclusion
Understanding causes and
consequences of invasion
provides opportunities for creative
management to mitigate past and
adapt to future disturbance
Consequences
Limited native soil seed bank
Very large invasive seed bank
Altered vegetation structure and composition
Increased soil and leaf phosphorus
Reduced canopy
Increased light
Less shade
PLUS
Altered climatic conditions
Increased temperature
Less rainfall
Biodiversity / Invasive Species Information
Management Tools can tell us which species are most
likely to survive in the new ecosystem conditions
created by frequent fire and invasion ?
Utilise species adapted to new conditions
Potential assisted
migration
Example
Invasive Species Scientist C M D’Antonio (California)
Visited Perth-invasion of Ehrharta calycina California
(Fire)
How to manage the transformer, fire enhancing species ?
Had knowledge from Western Australian research been available
through an
Invasive/ Biodiversity Information Tool
• Rapid knowledge access providing Invasive Species Solutions
• Prevent very slow re invention of the wheel
• Reduce the loss of Biodiversity due to Invasive Species
As a potential user of an integrated Biodiversity/ Invasive Species
Information Tool, in addition to scientific knowledge for adaptive
management, I would like the tool to help me:
Convince decision makers that Biodiversity is valuable and
essential to our future
Convince decision makers that biodiversity must be maintained
Convince decision makers that invasive species have a
detrimental impact on our biodiversity
Convince decision makers there is an economic advantage to
investing in restoration to ensure biodiverse systems dominate
invasive species
And then when we have persuaded
the decision makers
I want to ensure the economic investment
in maintaining, protecting and restoring
our biodiversity is effective and
leads to reduced loss of biodiversity due to invasion
TOOL
When developing standards lets consider how the data bases
can most effectively maintain and reduce
biodiversity loss
We don’t have forever to halt the loss of biodiversity
Change is occurring in an increasingly rapid rate
To slow the loss of diversity we need as much
global information as possible
NOW
The world’s economic decline may provide unforseen
opportunities to better manage and maintain our biodiversity
Without active up to date tools we may miss this window of
opportunity and lose our biodiversity before the tools are ready to
help us tackle their loss
Overall Aim of the Tool
Halt the Loss of Biodiversity
Lets hope we do not loose too much
Biodiversity
while we are developing the tools
Acknowledgements:
Research utilized in this talk was conducted whilst a
doctoral student with the
School of Plant Biology,
University of Western Australia
with support from the
Perth Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
Judy Fisher
[email protected]
0407 984 091
Fisher Research Pty Ltd
PO Box 169
Floreat
Perth
Western Australia 6014