invasive exotic species strategic action framework
DESCRIPTION
The Everglades, ecologically unique and imperiled by numerous threats, is the subject of the world's largest ecosystem restoration program. Florida is second only to Hawaii in the severity of the threats posed by invasive exotic species on U.S. native habitats and species. Florida is particularly vulnerable to the introduction, invasion, and establishment of non-native species because of its subtropical climate, the existence of major ports of entry, and the large-scale pet, aquarium, and ornamental plant industries active in the region. Combating invasive exotic species is integral to successful ecosystem restoration and to the sustainability of south Florida. Combating invasive exotic species in the South Florida Ecosystem is daunting in terms of geographic scale, diversity of invasive exotic species, technical challenges, and required coordination and resources. The 18,000 square mile South Florida Ecosystem is infested with many widely established and emerging invasive exotic specTRANSCRIPT
ii
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
TheSouthFloridaEcosystemRestorationTaskForce
In1996,CongressestablishedtheSouthFloridaEcosystemRestorationTaskForce(TaskForce)tobringtogetherfederal,state,tribal,andlocalagenciesinvolvedinrestoringandprotectingtheEverglades.TaskForcememberscoordinatethenumerousrestorationeffortsbeingplannedandimplementedthroughouttheEvergladesecosystem.TheTaskForcealsoprovidesaforumforsharinginformation,engagingstakeholders,identifyingemergingissues,resolvingconflicts,andreportingonrestorationprogress.
Why the Green Iguana?
The green iguana (Iguana iguana , Linnaeus, 1758) has been chosen to illustrate the cover of the Invasive Exotic
Species Framework because they have become such a common sight in south Florida that many of us have
forgotten that they are exotic. Green iguanas are also a good example of an invasive exotic species that causes
trouble for the built environment in south Florida. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission1, green iguanas have been in Florida since 1966, however, the population increased significantly after
Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Breeding populations originated in Miami‐Dade County and have been found as far
north as West Palm Beach and as far south as the Florida Keys. They have few natural predators or competitors to
keep their populations in check, although cold temperatures do keep the iguana population from expanding to
north Florida.
At this time, we know very little about the ecological impact that green iguanas may have in south Florida.
However, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, green iguanas in Florida
eat shrubs, trees, landscape plants, orchids, and fruits such as figs, mangos, berries, and tomatoes. Ornamental
vegetation can be decimated by one large iguana that takes up residence in a yard. In addition to destroying
native vegetation and landscaping, iguanas also cause problems by digging nesting burrows that can undermine
sidewalks, sea walls, and foundations. Iguana feces are odiferous, unsightly, and may harbor Salmonella bacteria.
Because iguanas often prefer to defecate in or around water, it is not uncommon for an iguana to use residential
swimming pool as a defecation area.2 In fact, Zoo Miami initiated an eradication program for green iguanas from
zoo property due to water quality impacts that could harm zoo animals.
Cover photo courtesy of Jose Cabaleiro
1http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/reptiles/green‐iguana/2FromtheseriesoftheEntomologyandNematologyDepartment,FloridaCooperativeExtensionService,InstituteofFoodandAgriculturalSciences,UniversityofFlorida,W.H.Kern,Jr.,associateprofessor.OriginalpublicationdateSeptember2004.ReviewedAugust2012.VisittheEDISwebsiteathttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in528
iii
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
INVASIVEEXOTICSPECIESSTRATEGICACTIONFRAMEWORK
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
OnJuly9,2013,theSouthFloridaEcosystemRestorationTaskForcedirecteditsWorkingGroupandScienceCoordinationGrouptodevelopaStrategicActionFramework(Framework)foraddressingtheseriousthreatstotheEvergladesposedbyinvasiveexoticplantandanimalspecies.TheFrameworkwasdevelopedbyanextensiveanddiversesetofpartnersincludingmembersoftheTaskForce,WorkingGroup,ScienceCoordinationGroup,EvergladesCooperativeInvasiveSpeciesManagementArea(ECISMA),andtheDepartmentoftheInterior’sOfficeofEvergladesRestorationInitiatives.
TheFrameworkseeksto:
helpdecision‐makersunderstandtheconnectionsbetweengoals,strategies,andtactics;
maximizetheextenttowhichthecurrentcapacityforpartnershipisleveragedtomeetcommongoals;
helpdecision‐makersmakewiseandtimelyinvestmentdecisionsinthebattleagainstinvasiveexotics;and
definesuccessandprovideforaccountability.
TheSouthFloridaEcosystemisUnique–andUniquelyVulnerable
TheEverglades,ecologicallyuniqueandimperiledbynumerousthreats,isthesubjectoftheworld’slargestecosystemrestorationprogram.Inadditiontoitsuniquenaturalenvironment,theSouthFloridaEcosystemisalsocharacterizedby:
aculturallydiversepopulationofalmost8millionresidents,includingtwoNativeAmericantribes,
worldrenownedrecreationalopportunities,and astrongagriculturalandtourism‐basedeconomy.
FloridaissecondonlytoHawaiiintheseverityofthethreatsposedbyinvasiveexoticspeciesonU.S.nativehabitatsandspecies.Floridaisparticularlyvulnerabletotheintroduction,invasion,andestablishmentofnon‐nativespeciesbecauseofitssubtropicalclimate,theexistenceofmajorportsofentry,andthelarge‐scalepet,aquarium,andornamentalplantindustriesactiveintheregion.
iv
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
InvasiveExoticSpeciesPoseaRealandGrowingThreattotheSouthFloridaEcosystem
Invasiveexoticspeciesliketheredbayambrosiabeetle,giantAfricansnail,Brazilianpeppertree,andBurmesepythonthreatenourenvironment,economy,culture,andhumanhealth.Thethreatsposedbyinvasiveexoticspeciesaregrowing,andifleftunaddressedorinadequatelyaddressed,couldthreatenthesuccessofecosystemrestorationandthesustainabilityoftheregion.
ThreatsarebeyondtheAbilityofanySingleAgencyorEfforttoAddress
CombatinginvasiveexoticspeciesintheSouthFloridaEcosystemisdauntingintermsofgeographicscale,diversityofinvasiveexoticspecies,technicalchallenges,andrequiredcoordinationandresources.The18,000squaremileSouthFloridaEcosystemisinfestedwithmanyemergingandwidelyestablishedinvasiveexoticspeciesspanningthejurisdictionsofmultipleagencies,tribes,andprivateindustries.
WeNeedSwiftAction,VigilantStewardship,andAdequateResourcestoSucceed
Delayiscostly.Melaleuca,anornamentaltreefirstintroducedtoFloridaintheearly1900s,wasallowedtothriveforalmostacenturyandby1993infestedanestimated
An Everglades marsh overtaken by melaleuca. Photo: SFWMD.
v
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
488,000acresinsouthFlorida(TAME2004),farescapingtheabilityofanysingleentitytocontrolit.Anintensiveinteragencyeffortledtothedevelopmentofaregional,comprehensivestrategythatutilizedmultiplecontroltoolsandstrategies(includingregulatoryinitiatives)andpublicoutreach.Today,largesectionsoftheEvergladesthatwereoncedominatedbymelaleucahavebeenrestoredtomorenaturalvegetationandhavereachedorarenearingmaintenance‐controllevels.However,someportionsoftheSouthFloridaEcosystem,includingmanyprivatelands,stillcontainsizablemelaleucainfestations.
ThesouthFloridamelaleucaeffort(includingbiological,mechanical,chemical,andphysicalcontrolefforts)hascostover$43millionthusfar.Toplacethisinperspective,however,theFloridaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionestimatesthatfailingtoactagainstmelaleucawouldbeevenmorecostly,ultimatelycostingtheregion$161millionannuallyinlostrevenues(Laroche1999).
Thehighcostofmanagingthisaggressiveinvadercallsattentiontothreeimportantpoints:
Swiftactionagainstnewlydetectedinvaderscansavesignificantpublicresourcesandsubstantiallyreduceimpactstonaturalresources.
Ifthewindowforswiftactionismissed,anderadicationbecomesunlikely,alastingcommitmenttothemanagementoftheinvasiveexoticspecieswillbeneeded.
Althoughthelong‐termcommitmentofadequateresourcesisvitallyimportant,wewillonlybesuccessfulifthoseresourcesareinvestedinastrategicandcoordinatedway.
AStrategicActionFrameworkwillEnhanceourCollectiveEffortstoCombatInvasiveExoticSpecies
TheFrameworkbuildsonthelargebodyofworkalreadycompletedoninvasiveexoticspeciesandthemanyplansthathavebeenwrittentoaddressindividualspeciesandareasofconcernswithintheSouthFloridaEcosystem.TheFrameworkdelineatesoursharedgoals,objectives,andstrategiesforsuccessfullycombatinginvasiveexoticspecies.Othertools,includingacomprehensivelistofcurrentandneededactionsandacrosscutbudgetingtool,willcomplementthisFrameworkandensurethatweareworkinginacoordinatedwayatalllevelstowardoursharedgoalsandobjectives.
vi
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
OurOrganizingPrinciple:TheInvasionCurve
Thekeytotacklingaproblemascomplexasinvasiveexoticspeciesistoprioritizeboththreatsandsolutions,andtoidentifytherelativecostofourprioritizationchoices.Fortunately,atoolalreadyexiststhatcanbeappliedtotheinvasiveexoticspeciesproblemintheSouthFloridaEcosystem.TheInvasionCurve(Fig.1),firstdevelopedbyexpertsinAustraliaandbroadlyacceptedandapplied,organizesthebattleagainstexoticsintofourphases:1)Prevention,2)EradicationthroughEarlyDetectionandRapidResponse(EDRR),3)Containment,and4)ResourceProtectionandLong‐TermManagement.Thecurvealsoshowstherelationshipofeachofthesephasestothedurationandextentoftheinvasion,andthecostsofaddressingit.TheInvasionCurvetellsusthatthelongerwewaittoaddressaparticularinvasion,andthemorewidespreadthatinvasionbecomes,themoreexpensiveitistoaddress.TheInvasionCurvealsotellsusthat,ingeneral,themostcosteffectiveapproachtocontrollinginvasiveexoticspeciesistopreventtheintroductionofthespeciesinthefirstplace.Ifpreventionisnotpossible,EDRRisthenextmostcosteffectivestrategytoemploy.Ifbothopportunitiestopreventorswiftlyeradicatearemissed,costsofaddressingtheinvasionbegintoriseveryquickly.OnceaspecieshascrossedintotheyellowandredzonesoftheInvasionCurve,thecostsofmanagementarehighandperpetual.ForsomeofsouthFlorida’s“redzone”species,likeBurmesepythons,evenifwehadunlimitedresourceswithwhichtoaddresstheproblem,sciencecannotyettellushowtoeffectivelyreducepopulationsletalonetoreducethemtothelowestfeasiblelevels.Insuchcases,thecostsoftheinvasionincluderesearch,buttheyalsoincludethecostsassociatedwiththeimpactoftheinvasionsuchasenvironmentalandagriculturalharm,humanhealthrisk,andlossofculturalresourcevalues.
ThegoalsoftheFrameworkcorrespondtothefourphasesoftheInvasionCurve.Eachgoalissupportedbybroadstrategiesandspecificactionstomeetthegoal,aswellascasestudiestohelpidentifylessonslearned.TheFrameworkisalsobasedonthefollowingoverarchingkeyprinciples:
ScienceshouldprovidethefoundationforourstrategieswithineveryphaseoftheInvasionCurve.
Successwillrequireinteragencycooperation,innovativepartnerships,andaninformedandinvolvedpublic.
Asuccessfulinvasiveexoticspeciesprogramrequiresthelong‐termcommitmentofadequateresources.
vii
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
Figure 1. The Invasion Curve and Goals. Adapted from Department of Environment and Primary Industries. 2010.
viii
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
Formoreinformation,contact:
U.S.DepartmentofInteriorOfficeofEvergladesRestorationInitiatives
www.evergladesrestoration.gov
7500SW36thStreetDavie,FL33314(954)377‐5971
(954)377‐5901fax
LiteratureCitedDepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimaryIndustries.2010.InvasivePlantsandAnimalsPolicy
Framework.Victoria,Australia.Laroche,F.B.(ed.).1999.MelaleucaManagementPlan:TenYearsofSuccessfulMelaleuca
ManagementinFlorida,1988‐98.FloridaExoticPestPlantCouncil,WestPalmBeach,FL.TAME.TheAreawideManagementandEvaluationofMelaleuca.2007.ACenturyofMelaleucain
Florida.USDA‐ARSInvasivePlantResearchLaboratory,Ft.Lauderdale,FL.
ix
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
TABLEOFCONTENTS
ExecutiveSummary.........................................................................................................iiiIntroduction.........................................................................................................................1
HowInvasiveExoticSpeciesAffecttheSouthFloridaEcosystem.........................1TheEverglades...............................................................................................................2TheRegionalEconomy...............................................................................................3NativeAmericanCulture............................................................................................4
WhatareInvasiveExoticSpeciesandHowDoTheyGetHere?..............................5TheInvasionCurve............................................................................................................6Vision,KeyPrinciples,andStrategicGoals..............................................................7
Goal1:PreventtheIntroductionofInvasiveExoticSpecies....................................8Goal2:EradicateInvasiveExoticSpeciesthroughEarlyDetectionandRapidResponse(EDRR)........................................................................................................10Goal3:ContaintheSpreadofInvasiveExoticSpecies.............................................12Goal4:ReducethePopulationsofWidelyEstablishedInvasiveExoticSpeciesandMaintainatLowestFeasibleLevels.........................................................14
Conclusion..........................................................................................................................17LiteratureCited................................................................................................................18Acknowledgements.........................................................................................................19
x
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
TheSouthFloridaEcosystem
1
INTRODUCTION
In1995,FloridaGovernorLawtonChiles’CommissionforaSustainableSouthFloridarecognizedthattheenvironmentandtheeconomyarebothpillarsofregionalsustainabilityandsincethen,theterm“SouthFloridaEcosystem”hasbeenrecognizedasencompassingboththenaturalandbuiltsystems.TheSouthFloridaEcosystemincludesmanydiverseareas,suchastheEvergladesandMiami;sugarfarmsandoysterbeds;highwaysandwetlands.ThisconceptisafundamentaltenetoftheTaskForceandthereforeintheFrameworkwewillusethetermSouthFloridaEcosysteminthisinclusiveway.Wewillusetheterm“Everglades”intheFrameworkwhenreferringsolelytothenaturalsystem.
TheSouthFloridaEcosystemincludestheareaencompassedbytheboundaryoftheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrict(SFWMD),aswellasthecoastalandmarineecosystemsthatareecologicallyconnectedtothemainland.Theregioncoversmorethan18,000squaremiles,includesallorpartofsixteencounties,andishometoapopulationofnearlyeightmillion.TheSouthFloridaEcosystemalsoincludessovereignandperpetualleasetriballandsoftwofederallyrecognizedTribes,containsoneofthemostimportantagriculturalindustriesinthecountry,andsupportsaworldrenownedtourismandrecreationalindustry.
Thenaturalhabitatsintheregion,includingcoastal,estuarine,andreefhabitats,areallpartoftheEverglades,avast,globallyrenownedanduniquewatershedthatisthesubjectoftheworld’slargestecosystemrestorationprogram.TheEvergladesisdividedintoanumberofprotectedareasincludingthreenationalparks,anationalpreserve,18nationalwildliferefuges,anationalmarinesanctuary,andextensiveconservationlandsmanagedbystateandlocalgovernmentagencies,andishometomorethan70threatenedandendangeredspecies.
HowInvasiveExoticSpeciesAffecttheSouthFloridaEcosystemWithitsmildclimate,diverseenvironments,multipleportsofentry,anddensehumanpopulationcenters,theSouthFloridaEcosystemisparticularlyvulnerabletotheintroduction,invasion,andestablishmentofnon‐nativespecies.Asmallnumberofthesenon‐nativespecieseventuallybecomeaggressivelyinvasiveandspreadintoneighborhoods,farms,andnaturalareas.Onceestablished,themostaggressiveinvasivespeciescandisplacenativespecies,alterecosystemstructureandfunction,changefoodwebdynamics,degradecriticalwildlifehabitat,introducediseasestonativespecies,exertadditionalpressuresonthreatenedandendangeredspecies,andthreatenculturalvalues,recreationalopportunities,andeconomicinterestsvitaltothehealthoftheentireStateofFlorida.
2
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
TheEvergladesAmerica’sEvergladesisvulnerabletoexoticspeciesinvasionbecauseitishospitabletomanyplantandanimalspeciesthatarenativetosimilarclimatesthroughouttheworld.Inparticular,CentralandSouthAmericanaswellasAfricanandAsianspecieshavefoundanewhomeinthehumidsubtropicalsouthFloridaclimateandinthevastwildernessoftheEverglades.Theabundantwaterandfoodandwarmtemperaturesprovideperfectconditionsformanyspecies,givingthemafootholdinFloridaandtheUnitedStates.Incontrast,thenaturalmechanismsthatcontrolspeciesintheirnativeranges,suchaspredators,diseases,andenvironmentalconditions,oftendonotexistinsouthFlorida.Withoutthesemechanismstokeepintroducedpopulationsincheck,someexoticplantandanimalpopulationscanbecomeestablishedandrapidlyexpandintonewareas.
InvasiveexoticspeciesaredetrimentaltotheEvergladescausing:1)directharmtonativespeciesthroughpredation;2)indirectharmbydisruptionofthefoodwebandcompetitionforresources;3)harmandirreparablelossofthreatenedandendangeredspecies,and4)physicalchangestohabitatsandecologicalprocesses.Thephotosonthispageillustratesomeoftheseimpacts.
An American crocodile, a federally threatened species, is observe laying eggs by a wildlife camera (left). An invasive
exotic Argentine black and white tegu, a species known to predate upon reptile eggs, is later observed on the same
camera near the crocodile eggs (right). Photo: Michelle McEachern.
Burmese pythons are generalist predators, capable
of eating most all terrestrial vertebrate species, with
larger snakes eating larger prey. Documented prey
items include over 40 species of mammals and birds,
as well as American alligators. Some of these prey
items (e.g., wood stork, Key Largo wood rat) are at
risk of extinction because of their already low
population sizes or limited geographic distribution.
Evidence suggests that many prey populations (e.g.,
raccoons, opossums) have declined dramatically
since the Burmese python’s introduction.
Photo: Roy Wood, ENP.
3
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
TheRegionalEconomyAgriculture,tourism,andrecreationareamongFlorida’smostimportanteconomicsectorsandeachfacesbothdirectandindirectthreatsfrominvasiveexoticspecies.
Agriculture:Floridaagriculturecoversoverninemillionacreswithinthestateandcontributesmorethan$104billionannuallytothestate’seconomy(FDACS2013).Economiclossesduetoinvasiveexoticspeciesincludedirect,indirect,andinducedcoststocropsandlivestockandrepresentasignificantchallengetotheagriculturalsectorofFlorida’seconomy.Thesepestsrangefromweedstopathogens,insects,andferalpigs.Inadditiontothefinancialcosts,foodsecurity,trade,humanhealth,marketsandpricing,anddomesticproductionareallimpactedbyinvasiveexotics.
Oneofthemostrecentthreatstoagricultureislaurelwiltdisease,spreadbytheinvasiveexoticredbayambrosiabeetle.Thisrapidlyspreadingdiseasehasthepotentialtocauseadirectlossof$183‐356milliontotheavocadoindustry,Florida’ssecond‐largestfruitindustry(Evans2010).
Tourism/Recreation:Almost94milliontouristsvisitedFloridain2013,resultinginaneconomicimpactofover$76billion(VisitFlorida2014).TheFloridaOutdoorRecreationParticipationSurvey(FDEP2011)showedthat98%ofvisitorsbelievethatoutdoorrecreationisimportanttothem,withfishingandwildlifeviewingidentifiedasimportantoutdoorrecreationalactivities,alongwithbeachactivities.Collectively,wildlife‐basedrecreationalactivitiesprovideover$8billioninvisitorexpendituresannuallyinFlorida(USDOI2011).
Total EXPENDITURES of US Citizens in 2011 in
Florida on wildlife‐economic activity, in order of magnitude
PARTICIPANTS in Wildlife‐Related Recreation in Florida in 2011
(U.S. residents 16 years old and older)1. Fishing $4.6 billion 1. Wildlife Watching 4.3 million
2. Wildlife Watching $3 billion 2. Anglers 3.1 million
3. Hunting $716 million 3. Hunters 242 thousand Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. 2011. National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife‐Associated Recreation.
Invasiveexoticspeciescansignificantlydiminishbothactiveandpassiverecreationalopportunities,therebycausingeconomicimpacts.Venomouslionfishinvasionsmaymakecertainareasunsafefordivers,impactingtourproviders.TheprevalenceofpythoncoverageinthenewsmediahasmadesomemembersofthepublicwaryofevenvisitingtheEverglades.Amorecalculabledirectimpactinvolvesnon‐nativeaquaticplantsthatcanformimpenetrablebarriersthatobstructwaterflowandnavigationandimpactfishingandwatersports.TheSFWMDspent$2.4millioninfiscalyear2013totreathydrilla,aparticularlyaggressiverootedsubmergedplant,andanadditional$855,000onfloatingaquaticplants(waterhyacinthandwaterlettuce)forrecreation,navigation,andfloodcontrolpurposes(SFWMD2014).
4
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
NativeAmericanCultureTheMiccosukeeTribeofIndiansofFloridaandSeminoleTribeofFloridaarebothfederallyrecognizedNativeAmericantribesresidingintheEverglades;theirpresencepredatesColumbus.TheEvergladesisnotonlyahometothepeopleofthesetribes,butthesourceofspiritualandculturalwellbeing.Invasiveexoticspecieshaveadirectimpactonthatwellbeingbythedisplacementordestructionoftraditionalphysicalsettings,thelossofmedicinalandceremonialplants,andthelossoftraditionalfoods.
Manyinvasiveexoticplantsphysicallydisruptandcanevenreplacenativevegetation.Exoticplantssuchasmelaleuca,Brazilianpeppertree,andOldWorldclimbingfernformthickstandsthatcrowdoutnativevegetationanddegradeimportantwildlifehabitat.Treeislandsareaparticularlyimportantresourceusedbytribesforceremonialpurposes.Swampbaytreesarekeystonespeciesthatareimportanttothestructureofmanytreeislands.ThesetreesarecurrentlyunderattackfromlaurelwiltdiseasewhichaltersmanyEvergladestreeislandsandopensthecanopyuptofurtherinvasionbyotherexoticspecies,severelyimpactingoneofthetribes’mostimportantculturalresources.
Significanttribalresourcesareexpendedonanannualbasistotreatheavilyinfestedareasandmanagelevelsofexoticvegetationwithincommunityareasandnativehabitatsusedforculturalandmedicinalpractices.Pasturesandagriculturalpracticesontriballandsarealsogreatlyimpactedbyinvasiveexoticplantssuchascogongrass,tropicalsodaapple,andBrazilianpeppertree.Withoutactivemanagement,theseinvasiveexoticspeciescansignificantlyreducethegrazingcapacitiesofpastures.
Seminole Elder. Source: Cover of the Florida Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program 1984‐1985.
Laurel wilt disease. Source: okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/Red.Bay.htm
5
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
Whatareinvasiveexoticspeciesandhowdotheygethere?APresidentialExecutiveOrder(EO13112)wassignedin1999to“preventtheintroductionofinvasivespeciesandprovidefortheircontrolandtominimizetheeconomic,ecological,andhumanhealthimpactsthatinvasivespeciescause.”ConsistentwithEO13112,invasiveexoticspeciesaredefinedwithintheFrameworkasanon‐nativespecies(includingitsseeds,eggs,spores,orotherpropagules)whoseintroductiontotheSouthFloridaEcosystemdoesorislikelytocauseeconomic,environmental,orculturalharmorharmtohumanhealth.Pathwaysarethemeansbywhichspeciesaretransportedfromonelocationtoanother.Theseincludenaturalpathways,suchaswindandcurrents,andman‐madepathways,suchasthedeliberateorunintentionalimportationofplantsandanimalsthroughinternationalcommerceortransport(Fig.1).Globalizationoftradeandadvancesintransportationtechnologyhavedramaticallyincreasedthemovementofliveorganismsacrossoceans,continentaldivides,andothernaturalmigrationbarriers.Someofthesespeciesarewell‐adaptedtotheirintroducedenvironmentandareabletoproliferateandcausesignificantchangestotheirnewenvironment.
Figure 1. Invasive Exotic Species' Pathways. Adapted from the National Invasive Species Council Pathways Work Team’s Ranking Guide (2005).
South Florida
Ecosystem
Pathway: Transportation
• Modes: Air, Water, Land
• Mail and Shipping
• Travel and Tourism
• Military Transport
Pathway: Living Industry
•Aquatic and Terrestrial Plants
•Animals for Food Consumption
•Non‐food Animal Pathways
•Nonliving Animal and Plant Pathways
Miscellaneous Pathways
•Ecosystem Disturbance
•Biocontrol
•Natural Spread/migration
•Garbage
6
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
THEINVASIONCURVE
TheInvasionCurvehasbeenselectedastheorganizingprinciplefortheFramework.Itdepicts,ataglance,thecostsandbenefitsassociatedwithcombatinginvasiveexoticspeciesacrosstimeandgeography(Fig.2).Inshort,costsincreasethelongeraspeciesisestablishedandthegreaterthegeographicalextentoftheinvasion.Theleft‐handsideoftheInvasionCurverepresentsthemostcosteffectiveandenvironmentallysoundapproachtoinvasivespeciesmanagement.Sinceeradicationofwidelyestablishedinvasiveexoticspeciesisrarelyachieved,along‐termcommitmenttocontrollingestablishedspeciesisrequiredtoprotectthenaturalresource.Long‐termsuppressionoftheseestablishedspeciesisachallengeandiscostly.Thus,earlydetectionofnewinvasivespeciesresultsinloweroverallenvironmentalimpactandeconomiccostalongwithahigherlikelihoodforeradication.VariationsoftheInvasionCurvehavealsobeenusedtoportrayactionstobetakenagainstaspecificinvasiveexoticspecies.
Figure 2. The Invasion Curve. AdaptedfromDepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimaryIndustries.2010.
7
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
TheInvasionCurveidentifiesfourmajorcategoriesofmanagementactionstocombatinvasiveexoticspecies:Prevention,Eradication,Containment,andResourceProtectionandLongTermManagement.Thefirstopportunitytocombataninvasionistopreventitinthefirstplace.Preventionstrategiesincluderegulation,borderprotection,publicengagement,andpublic‐privatepartnerships.Ifpreventionisnotpossibleortheopportunitytopreventaninvasionismissed,thenextapproachiseradication.Eradicationrequiresthatthespeciesbedetectedearlyintheinvasionprocess,thattheriskitposesisassessedquickly,andthatsufficienttoolsandresourcesareavailabletorespondrapidlytotheinvasion.ThisprocessisknownformallyasEarlyDetectionandRapidResponse(EDRR).EradicationthroughEDRRisthesecondmostcost‐effectivewaytoaddressinvasiveexoticspecies.Oncethepopulationsincreaseandbecomedistributedoveralargearea,eradicationisfarlessfeasible.Atthispoint,naturalresourcemanagersgenerallyshifttheirmanagementstrategytocontainmentefforts,withthepurposeofpreventingthespreadtonewareas.Finally,onceinvasiveexoticspeciesarewidespreadandabundant,effortsshifttopopulationsuppressiontolowestfeasiblelevelsinordertomitigatetheimpactsoftheinvaderonnaturalresources,economicinterests,andhumanhealth.EachportionoftheInvasionCurveislinkedtoaspecificstrategicgoalintheFramework.Thefourgoalsaresupportedbyobjectives,strategies,actions,andcasestudies,includingimplementationtoolssuchasresearch,outreach/education,andcoordination.
VISION,KEYPRINCIPLES,ANDSTRATEGICGOALSTheFrameworkisguidedbyavisionstatementthatsuccinctlydefinessuccessinthebattleoninvasiveexoticspecies:
TheSouthFloridaEcosystem,includingAmerica’sEverglades,itsenvironmental,economic,andculturalvaluesandhumanhealth,isprotectedfromtheharmfuleffectsofinvasiveexoticspecies.
Underlyingthisvisionarethreekeyprinciples:
ScienceshouldformthefoundationforourstrategieswithineveryphaseoftheInvasionCurve.
Successwillrequireinteragencycooperation,innovativepartnerships,andaninformedandinvolvedpublic.
Asuccessfulinvasiveexoticspeciesprogramrequireslong‐termcommitmentofadequateresources.
Fromthevisionstatementandkeyprinciples,fourstrategicgoalsweredevelopedbasedonthephasesoftheInvasionCurve:Prevention,Eradication,Containment,andResourceProtectionandLong‐termManagement.
8
ERADICATION
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
A Deadly Hitchhiker
Heartwater is an often fatal tick‐borne
disease historically endemic to sub‐
Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and more
recently several islands in the Caribbean.
The potential for Heartwater gaining a
foothold in south Florida is increased
due to the favorable climate for the ticks
and the large volume of African reptiles,
often carrying ticks, imported into the
region’s ports. Photo: USDA.
Exotic Pet Amnesty Program
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program is an innovative
effort that provides exotic pet owners with an opportunity to surrender or re‐home their exotic pet.
The goals of the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program are to reduce the number of exotic pets released in
Florida and provide amnesty for animals that require permits, including species such as the Burmese
python. The program also serves to provide education and outreach regarding responsible pet
ownership and invasive exotic species in Florida.
Goal1:PreventtheIntroductionofInvasiveExoticSpecies.
Preventingintroductionsofnewinvasiveexoticspeciesisthemostcosteffectivestrategyandcanyieldbenefitsprovided
fundingandcurrentbarriersareaddressedupfront.PreventingtheintroductionofinvasiveexoticspeciesprotectstheSouthFloridaEcosystemfromthenegativeecologicalandeconomicimpactsofthosespeciesandthesubsequenthighcostsassociatedwithlong‐termcontrolefforts.PreventionrequirestheabilitytoidentifypathwaysandprepareforrisksinordertostoptheidentifiedspeciesfromenteringtheSouthFloridaEcosystem.A betterunderstandingofpathwayscanleadtomorerobustandeffectivemeasuresthatpreventintroductionsbeforetheyproducesignificanteconomicandecologicaldamages,whilesimultaneouslyprotectingsafecommerce.Theabilitytoprioritizepreventioneffortswillrelyontechnicalexpertiseandtooldevelopment,includinganeffectivesystemofriskassessment.Preventingtheintroductionofpotentialharmfulinvasiveexoticspecieswillrelyuponacooperativeandcohesivemulti‐jurisdictionalapproachtofortifytheecosystemfrominvasion.Securingcurrentandpotentialpathwayswillrequireenhancedimportscreeningandriskassessmenttools,developmentofnewvoluntaryandregulatorytools,andmaximumutilizationofexistingvoluntaryandregulatorytools.Engagingthepublic,throughsuchprogramsasDon’tPackaPest,isalsokeytosuccessfulprevention.
9
ERADICATION
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
Hawaii’s Cargo Fee
The State of Hawaii currently imposes an inspection fee on marine freight coming into the State which
provides millions of dollars to their biosecurity efforts every year. Invasive exotic species are a very
serious problem in Hawaii and receive extensive media coverage and attention in the Hawaii
legislature every year. The Hawaii model of an inspection fee on incoming freight may soon be
attempted on Guam and could be a template for similar efforts in other states.
Prevention through Border Inspection/Interdiction
The interdiction of invasive exotic species is partly under
the jurisdiction of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The
CBP and USDA are responsible for protecting our
agricultural and economic interests from harmful pests and
disease import and have teams that actively inspect cargo
at the ports of entry in Florida. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service Office of Law Enforcement and the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission have staff that work to
prevent the import or export of endangered species. These
agencies coordinate when interdiction falls in another
agency’s jurisdiction.
The scale of the job these agencies face is staggering. Over six million tons of perishable cargo enter
Florida each year. Over 85% of the plants imported to the U.S. go through Miami (Dixon 2009) and
agricultural trade and pest interceptions at Florida’s ports of entry have been doubling every five to six
years (Klassen 2005). Photo: CBP.
Goal1:PreventtheIntroductionofInvasiveExoticSpecies.
PREPARE&PRIORITIZEObjective1A:Prepareforandprioritizepreventionefforts.
Strategy1A1:Identifypathwaysandprioritizepotentialthreatsandinvasiveexoticspecies.
Strategy1A2:Engagestakeholdersandthepublictosupportpreventionefforts.
PREVENTObjective1B:Prevententryofinvasiveexoticspecies.
Strategy1B1:Enhanceandimprovethepathwayinspection/screeningprocess.
Strategy1B2:Developnew,andutilizeexisting,voluntaryandregulatorytools.
Strategy1B3:Improvepathwayawarenessandengagethepublicinpreventionefforts.
10
ERADICATION
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
An EDRR Success Story
Sacred ibis are wading birds
indigenous to African wetlands
that would directly compete with
native wading birds if they
became established in south
Florida. Zoo Miami and the
USDA Wildlife Services led a
successful interagency EDRR
program to eradicate 75 sacred
ibis from Miami‐Dade and Palm
Beach counties. Photo: Zoo
Miami.
Goal2:EradicateInvasiveExoticSpeciesbyImplementingEarlyDetectionandRapidResponse(EDRR).
Successfulearlydetectionandrapidresponse(EDRR)ofnewlyestablishedinvadersrequires
formalcollaborationanddedicatedstaffandfunding.Itisimperativetorespondquicklyanddealwithemergingthreatswhiletheyremainlocalized.EradicationthroughEDRRisthesecondmostcost‐effectivemethodtodealwithinvasiveexoticspecies,afterprevention.EDRReffortsshouldbeginbeforespeciesareidentifiedintheSouthFloridaEcosystem.AccordingtotheEvergladesCooperativeInvasiveSpeciesManagementArea’sEDRRPlan,“inordertorespondrapidlyandeffectivelytoaninvasion,actionsshouldbeanticipatedandconsensusreachedonasmanyresponsedetailsaspossiblepriortodiscoveryofanunwantedintroduction.Then,whenaresponseisneeded,itwillberapid,streamlined,andmoreeffective.”Preparationandmonitoringareconductedinordertoidentifyinvasionsasearlyaspossible.Earlydetectionrequireseffectivecommunicationbetweenexperts,responders,andthepublicandshouldseamlesslyconnecttotheassessmentandrapidresponsephasesofEDRR.Onceanewinvaderisdetected,rapidassessmentshouldoccursothattheresponseprioritycanbedetermined.Allofthepriorstepsshouldenablearapidresponsetoidentifiedthreats.Eradicationdependsupondedicatedfundingandaneffectivelogisticalframeworkinordertobeabletoquicklyrespondtothreats.Barriers,suchaspermittingissuesandauthoritiesforresponders,mustbeidentifiedandsolutionsfoundtoensurerapidresponseandincreaseourabilitytoeradicatethespecies.
A Threat to Agriculture
Tephritid fruit flies are considered the most destructive pest of fruits and vegetables, attacking more
than 400 different plants. Since 1997, the Tephritidae species of fruit flies has been detected in
Florida 22 times. Early detection and rapid response activities conducted jointly by the United States
Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Florida Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services have successfully eradicated each introduction.
11
ERADICATION
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
Gambian Pouched Rats
Gambian pouched rats are large rodents native to Africa that
are a vector for serious diseases, including monkey pox.
Efforts to eradicate this species from the Florida Keys are
being led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC). Photo: FWC.
Goal2:EradicateInvasiveExoticSpeciesbyImplementingEarlyDetectionandRapidResponse(EDRR).
PREPARE&MONITORObjective2A:Prepareandmonitortoenhanceearlydetection.
Strategy2A1:Implementasystematic,prioritized,multi‐speciesmonitoringandinventoryplan.
Strategy2A2:Utilizeexistinganddevelopneededregionalmonitoring/reportingnetworkstoincreaselikelihoodofdetection.
Strategy2A3:Employscienceandtechnologyfordevelopmentofearlydetectiontools,e.g.,surveys,traps,inspections.
Strategy2A4:Engagethepublicandprovideinvasiveexoticspeciesreportingmechanisms.
Strategy2A5:Establishrapidassessmentandresponseprograms/processes/cooperatives/toolsthatallowfornimblereactionsaimedateradication.
ASSESSObjective2B:Ensurerapidassessmentofnewlydetectedspecies.
Strategy2B1:Rapidlyassessthestatusandpotentialthreatofnewlydetectedinvasiveexoticspeciespopulationsanddeveloparesponse/noresponseplan.
RESPONDObjective2C:Rapidlyrespondtoidentifiedthreats.
Strategy2C1:Initiaterapidresponsebasedupontheplanofactiondevelopedduringtheassessmentphase.
12
ERADICATION
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
CONTAINMENT
PREVENTION
Goal3:ContaintheSpreadofInvasiveExoticSpecies.
Consistentresourcestoaddresscontainment,resourceprotection,andlong‐termmanagement
areneeded.Onceitisdeterminedthateradicationisnotpossible,weenterthethirdphaseoftheInvasionCurve.Containmenteffortsfocusonpreventingthespreadofaninvasiveexoticspeciestonewareasinordertominimizethedamagetotheecosystemandreducelong‐termcontrolcosts.Thecontainmentphasefocusesontheutilizationandoftenrapiddeploymentofcontroltoolsatcontainmentboundariesandknownpathways.Technicalexpertise,enforcementmechanisms,andfinancialassistanceareneededtosuccessfullycontainexpandingpopulationsofpriorityspecies.Coordinationatalllevelsshouldbeenhancedandstrengthenedtoenablebettercoordinatedon‐the‐groundmanagementactivitiesdirectedatspecies,pathways,andhigh‐valueassets.Assessmentandadaptationofcurrentmethodologies,investmentinmonitoringandscience‐basedcontainmentmethods,andasupportiveandengagedpublicwillimprovecontainmentsuccess.
Argentineblackandwhitetegu.Photo:DennisGiardina.
13
ERADICATION
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
CONTAINMENT
PREVENTION
The Tegu Curtain
The Argentine black and white tegu is a large,
invasive lizard native to South America that has
become established in southern Miami‐Dade
County. The hatching, seen at right, can grow to
over 4’ in length as an adult. The goal is to protect
sensitive habitats, including nearby national parks
and crocodile nesting areas, by containing them
within their current range and decreasing the
population. Photo: Dustin Smith.
Goal3:ContaintheSpreadofInvasiveExoticSpecies.
CONTROLObjective3A:Utilizeexistingcontroltoolstocontaininvasiveexoticspecies.
Strategy3A1:Implementbestmanagementpracticestopreventtheinadvertentspreadofinvasiveexoticspecies.
Strategy3A2:Implementcontroleffortsatcontainmentboundariesandknownpathways.
Strategy3A3:Retreatorreassessareastoensurecontainmentofinvasiveexoticspecies.
Strategy3A4:DevelopanEDRRapproachoutsidecontainmentareasthateliminatesincipientpopulations.
Strategy3A5:Enforceexistinglawsregardingtransportingandreleasinginvasiveexoticspeciestopreventspread.
IMPROVEObjective3B:Improveeffectivenessofcontainmenteffortsoninvasiveexoticspeciespopulations.
Strategy3B1:Investinscience‐basedcontainmentmethods.
Strategy3B2:Assesseffectivenessofcontainmenteffortsandadapttoimprovesuccess.
Strategy3B3:Standardizecontainmenteffortsthroughenhancedcoordination.
Strategy3B4:Improvepublicawarenessoftheneedforongoingcontainmentefforts.
14
ERADICATION
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
Ambrosia Beetle
Laurel wilt disease threatens to cause
the extinction of native redbay trees,
swamp bays in the Everglades, and
seriously impact commercial avocado
groves in south Florida. This has
implications for the structural
integrity of tree islands in the
Everglades and one of the most
important cultural resources to the
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of
Florida and the Seminole Tribe of
Florida.
Photo: Courtesy of Sun Sentinel.
Goal4:ReducethePopulationsofWidelyEstablishedInvasiveExoticSpeciesandMaintainatLowestFeasibleLevels.
Consistentresourcestoaddresscontainment,resourceprotection,andlong‐termmanagement
areneeded.ThefinalstageoftheInvasionCurveisresourceprotectionandlong‐termmanagement.Thisphaseendeavorstoreducetheecologicalandfinancialimpactofwide‐spreadinvasiveexoticspeciessotheynolongerplayadominantroleintheecosystem.Thiscanbeaccomplishedbydevelopingandusingcontroltoolstoreducethepopulationdensitiesofaspecieswithinaspecificareaandbystrengtheningtheresilienceofnaturalareasthroughrestorationofnativehabitatsandrecoveryofecosystemfunctions.TheunderlyingconceptofthisgoalistocontinuetocombatwellestablishedinvasiveexoticspeciesinordertoshifteffortstotheleftalongtheInvasionCurve(e.g.,containment)andtobringinvasiveexoticspeciestoaminimumcostandimpactontheecosystem(knownasmaintenancecontrol).TheapproachutilizedinthisendeavorisIntegratedPestManagement(IPM).AccordingtotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,IPMprograms“usecurrent,comprehensiveinformationonthelifecyclesofpestsandtheirinteractionwiththeenvironment.Thisinformation,incombinationwithavailablepestcontrolmethods,isusedtomanagepestdamagebythemosteconomicalmeans,andwiththeleastpossiblehazardtopeople,property,andtheenvironment.”Improvementsinlong‐termmanagementeffectivenesswillstemfromacombinationofinvestmentinscience,developmentofnewtools,andenhancedcoordination.Investmentinresearchandmonitoringmayyieldfuturetoolsthatcouldreducethepopulationandextentofinvasiveexoticspeciesthatarewellestablishedtoday.Theseinvestmentsneedtobeexpandedandimplementedthroughouttheregionthroughcoordinatedefforts.Inaddition,continualassessmentandadaptationbasedonlessonslearnedmayalsoyieldgreatimprovementsinlong‐termmanagement.Oneofthemostdifficultassessmentsistheareaofecosystemservices.Impactstonaturalareasandnativespeciesbyinvasiveexoticshaverippleeffectsthroughouttheeconomy.Itisgenerallyunderstoodthatlong‐termmanagementiscostlyandquantifyingecosystemservicesbenefitsischallenging.However,assessingtheseeffectsisanimportanttooltoensuringthatmoreresourcescouldbesecuredforlong‐termmanagementandcontrolofinvasiveexoticspecies.
15
ERADICATION
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
Goal4:Reducethepopulationsofwidelyestablishedinvasiveexoticspeciesandmaintainatlowestfeasiblelevels.
COMBATObjective4A:ReducepopulationandextentofestablishedinvasiveexoticspeciesthroughIntegratedPestManagementapproaches.
Strategy4A1:StrivetoeliminatetheimpactofinvasiveexoticspeciesonnaturalareasbyimplementinganIntegratedPestManagementapproach.
Strategy4A1:Conductroutinesurveysofwidelyestablishedspeciestodeterminestatusofpopulations.
RESTORE&RECOVERObjective4B:Reduceimpactsofinvasiveexoticspeciesthroughrestorationofnativehabitatsandspecies.
Strategy4B1:Supporteffortstoincreasethetotalspatialextentofnaturalareasandrestorenaturalhydrology.
Strategy4B2:Coordinateinvasiveexoticspeciesmanagementwithrestorationactivitiestopreventdegradationofhabitat.
Strategy4B3:Reintroducepopulationsofextirpatedandrarespecies,andaugmentexistingpopulationswhereappropriate,toimprovenativeplantandanimalspeciesabundanceanddiversity.
Strategy4B4:Recoverecologicalandnaturalsystemfunctionsandecosystemservices.
IMPROVEObjective4C:Improveeffectivenessoflong‐termmanagementeffortsoninvasiveexoticspeciespopulations.
Strategy4C1:Assesseffectivenessoflong‐termmanagementeffortsandadapttoimprovesuccess.
Strategy4C2:Conductinventoryandmonitoringtoimproveunderstandingofpopulationgrowthofinvasiveexoticspeciesinordertodevelopbettercontrolmethods.
Strategy4C3:Developandimprovetoolstoassistinthelong‐termcontrolofinvasiveexoticspecies.
Strategy4C4:Integratefederal,state,andlocalagencyinvasiveexoticspeciescontrolprograms.
16
ERADICATION
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTION
Lionfish
Since first observed in the 1980s, two
predatory species of lionfish have populated
the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, the
Southeastern US coastline, and the Bermuda
coastline. This has led to a loss of herbivorous
fish species on reefs and the resulting
dominance by algae and coral death.
Currently, there are no suitable traps ready for
deployment, nor any other cost effective
collection strategy for control.Photo:RichCarey,REEF.
Burmese Python
Burmese pythons are giant constricting snakes,
which have an established invasive population
in southern Florida. The pythons are large
predators with little risk of predation
themselves and have the potential to
negatively impact a multitude of native
species. Management of the south Florida
python population has proven very difficult,
and the population continues to grow despite
an increasingly coordinated effort of several
governmental agencies and academic
institutions. Photo: Everglades National Park.
Melaleuca
Melaleuca is a highly invasive tree native to
Australia. First introduced to Florida in the
early 1900s as an ornamental tree and soil
stabilizer, melaleuca quickly spread.
Coordinated management and sustained
funding is yielding some success. Large
sections of the Greater Everglades have
reached or are nearing maintenance‐control
levels where melaleuca once dominated.
However, some portions of the South Florida
Ecosystem still contain sizable melaleuca
infestations. Photo: Vic Ramey, UF/IFAS.
Shoebutton Ardisia
An evergreen shrub/small tree that is native
to Asia has invaded short hydroperiod
wetlands, hammocks, and tree islands in
south Florida. It impacts both the community
structure and ecological function of native
habitats. Miami‐Dade County’s
Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL)
Program is working to identify cost‐effective
controls to manage this invasive species.
Photo: Miami‐Dade County EEL Program.
17
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
CONCLUSION
CombatinginvasiveexoticspeciesisintegraltosuccessfulecosystemrestorationandtothesustainabilityofsouthFlorida.Inaction,ordelayedaction,iscostlyandthisFrameworkdelineateshowwecanprotectbothoureconomicandnaturalresourcesbyfocusingonrapid,coordinated,andstrategicaction.
TheTaskForcewebsite(www.evergladesrestoration.gov)containscomplementarytoolsandadditionalresourcesincludinganActionPlantoaccompanythisFramework.TheActionPlanisbasedonaprioritizedsubsetoftheFrameworkstrategiesaswellasaninventoryofcurrentactivitiessupportingeachprioritizedstrategyandananalysisofgapsthatshouldbefilledtoimplementeachprioritystrategy.Thewebsitealsoincludesdetailedcasestudiesandaninteragencycrosscutbudgetforinvasiveexoticspecies.Thesesupportingtoolswillbeupdatedonanon‐goingbasistoprovideaccesstothemostcurrentinformationonourcollectiveeffortstocombatinvasiveexoticspeciesintheSouthFloridaEcosystem.
18
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
LITERATURECITEDDepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimaryIndustries.2010.InvasivePlantsandAnimalsPolicy
Framework.Victoria,Australia.Dixon,W.N.2009.InvasiveArthropodsinNaturalandAgriculturalSystems.Presentationtothe
NationalPlantDiagnosticNetwork,2009,Miami,FL.Evans,EdwardA.2013.EconomicImpactsofInvasiveSpeciesinFlorida.UF/IFASTropical
ResearchandEducationCenter.U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior,OfficeofEvergladesRestorationInitiatives.FloridaAtlanticUniversity,Davie,FL.13November2013.Presentation.
Evans,EdwardA.,JonathanCrane,AlanHodges,andJasonL.Osborne.2010.PotentialEconomicImpactofLaurelWiltDiseaseontheFloridaAvocadoIndustry.HortTechnology.Vol.20,No.1,pp.234‐238.
ExecutiveOrder13112ofFebruary3,1999–InvasiveSpecies.FederalRegister:Feb8,1999(Volume64,Number25:6183‐6186).
FDACS.FloridaDepartmentofAgricultureandConsumerServices.2013.FloridaAgriculturebytheNumbers.
FDEP.2011.TheFloridaOutdoorRecreationParticipationSurvey.FloridaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,DivisionofRecreationandParks,Tallahassee,FL.
Klassen,W.,C.F.Brodel,andD.A.Fieselmann.2002.ExoticPestsofPlants:CurrentandFutureThreatstoHorticulturalProductionandTradeinFloridaandtheCaribbeanBasin.InRobertL.Degner,ThomasJ.Stevens,andKimberlyL.Morgan(Eds.),Miami‐DadeCountyAgriculturalLandRetentionStudy(TechnicalAppendixE).FloridaAgriculturalMarketResearchCenter,InstituteofFoodandAgriculturalSciences,UniversityofFlorida,Gainesville,FL.
Laroche,F.B.(ed.).1999.MelaleucaManagementPlan:TenYearsofSuccessfulMelaleucaManagementinFlorida,1988‐98.FloridaExoticPestPlantCouncil,WestPalmBeach,FL.
NationalInvasiveSpeciesCouncilPathwaysWorkTeam.2005.FocusGroupConferenceReportandPathwaysRankingGuide:June21‐22,2005.TheNationalInvasiveSpeciesCouncil.http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/docs/toolkit/pathways1205.doc.AccessedNovember2014.
SFWMD.2014.Chapter9:TheStatusofNonindigenousSpecies.In:2014SouthFloridaEnvironmentalReport–VolumeI,SouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrict,WestPalmBeach,FL.
TAME.TheAreawideManagementandEvaluationofMelaleuca.2007.ACenturyofMelaleucainFlorida.USDA‐ARSInvasivePlantResearchLaboratory,Ft.Lauderdale,FL.
USDOI.U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior,U.S.FishandWildlifeService,andU.S.DepartmentofCommerce,U.S.CensusBureau.2011NationalSurveyofFishing,Hunting,andWildlife‐AssociatedRecreation.
VisitFloridaResearch.2014.http://www.visitfloridamediablog.com/home/florida‐facts/research/.
19
PREVENTION
ERADICATION
CONTAINMENT
LONG‐TERM
MANAGEMENT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Academia Edward “Gilly” Evans, UF/IFAS Frank Mazzotti, UF/IFAS Christina Romagosa, University
of Florida Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) Dennis Giardina, Everglades
CISMA, FWC Erin Myers, Southwest Florida
CISMA, USFWS Tony Pernas, Everglades
CISMA, NPS Christal Segura, Southwest
Florida CISMA, Collier County
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Gordon Bonn William Dixon Richard Gaskalla Greg Hodges Richard Miranda
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Ernest Marks Frank Powell
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Liz Barroco Chuck Collins Tom Eason Jennifer Eckles Kelly Irick Kristen Sommers Nick Wiley Local Government Cynthia Guerra, Miami-Dade
County Frank Ridgley, Zoo Miami Dustin Smith, Zoo Miami
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida James Erskine Rory Feeney Gintautas Zavadzkas National Invasive Species Council Phil Andreozzi National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Tom Jackson National Park Service (NPS) Brian Carlstrom Ron Clark Alice Clarke Tylan Dean Dan Kimball Vanessa McDonough Carol Mitchell Larry Perez Pedro Ramos Jed Redwine Non-Governmental Organizations Joe Cytacki, Museum of
Discovery and Science Marlene Janetos, Museum of
Discovery and Science Kris Serbesoff-King, The Nature
Conservancy Seminole Tribe of Florida Elizabeth Letts Whitney Sapienza South Florida Water Management District Doug Bergstrom Karen Estock Blake Guillory Francois Laroche LeRoy Rodgers Dan Thayer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Greg Fuderer LTC Thomas Greco Angie Huebner Jon Lane Gina Ralph U.S. Department of Agriculture David Arronte Michael Avery John Humphrey Francisco Collazo Mattei David Munyan Eduardo Varona U.S. Department of Homeland Security Eunett James-Mack U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Everglades Restoration Initiatives Carrie Beeler Jose Cabaleiro Allyn Childress Shannon Estenoz U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) John Galvez Carlos Pages, Enforcement David Pharo, Enforcement Bob Progulske Art Roybal Larry Williams USFWS Refuges Rebekah Gibble Christen Mason Rolf Olson Sylvia Pelizza U.S. Geological Survey Nick Aumen Bryan Falk Michelle McEacher Barry Rosen
20
For more information, contact: U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Everglades Restoration Initiatives
www.evergladesrestoration.gov, 7500 SW36th Street Davie, FL 33314
(954) 377-5971, (954) 377-5901 fax Photo collage, clockwise from top: Lygodium, chameleon, air potato, Argentine black and white tegu. Photos: ECISMA. Bottom: Lionfish. Photo: Biscayne National Park.