project - oasoas.org/dsd/iabin/component2/jamaica/i3n-instituteofjamaica/bro… · influenced our...
TRANSCRIPT
CONTENTCONTENTCONTENTCONTENT BUILDINGBUILDINGBUILDINGBUILDING
PROJECTPROJECTPROJECTPROJECT
In May 2006, Jamaica initiated a year
long IABIN funded project lead by the
Institute of Jamaica.
To date the I3N-JA Content Building
Project has achieved the following.
• Hosted a National IAS Workshop
to disseminate information on IAS
issues and train the users of the
database
• A database with 84 IAS and 300
records of occurrences
• Has produced and distributed
posters and brochures in IAS on
Jamaica
• Collaborated with national,
regional and international IAS
groups to develop local capacities
by improving the existing
database and training of resource
personnel.
CONTACTCONTACTCONTACTCONTACT INFORMATIONINFORMATIONINFORMATIONINFORMATION
Natural History Division
Institute of Jamaica
10-16 East Street
Kingston
Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 922-0620-6
Fax: (876) 922-1147
Email:
[email protected] [email protected]
Websites:
www.jamaicachm.org.jm www.iabin.net
IABIN
INVASIVES
INFORMATION
NETWORK
JAMAICA (I3N-JA)
Photo: Sean Townsend Ginger Lily
WHATWHATWHATWHAT ISISISIS I3N?I3N?I3N?I3N?
The IABIN Invasives Information
Network (I3N) is one of several
branches of an international organi-
zation known as the Inter – American
Biodiversity Information Network
(IABIN). IABIN has 29 official
member states. Jamaica joined in 2002.
The network in Jamaica is known as
the I3N-JA. I3N provides information
that will assist countries of the
Americas in decision making regard-
ing issues of biodiversity and human
development.
The I3N, through the work of
individuals and institutions gathers
information on invasive alien species.
Once all the information is compiled
into a database it will be much easier
for countries to share information and
resources that will assist in the control
and management of invasive species.
Jamaica’s effort at documenting
invasive species and their impacts is
known as the I3N Jamaica (I3N – JA).
THETHETHETHE ROLEROLEROLEROLE OFOFOFOF I3NI3NI3NI3N----JAJAJAJA
The I3N-JA is responsible for the sys-
tematic collection and documentation
of information on alien species which
is essential to the protection and
management of Jamaica’s biodiver-
sity.
The mandate of I3N-JA includes the
compilation of scattered data on inva-
sive alien species (IAS) in Jamaica to
standardized and interoperable data-
bases. Its vision is to improve the
quality of existing information on IAS
as well as facilitate resource sharing
and information accessibility within
the region and the rest of the Ameri-
cas.
The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) is the
lead agency on IABIN Invasives In-
formation Network (I3N) Projects.
Our local data providers include the
UWI, JCDT, MOAL and NEPA.
I3NI3NI3NI3N----JAJAJAJA PilotPilotPilotPilot ProjectProjectProjectProject
Shortly after the initiation of I3N,
Jamaica became signatory to a pilot
project on IAS in February 2002. The
project achieved the following.
• Hosted a National Invasive
Species Workshop
• Administered a questionnaire to
determine the use of information
on IAS
• Developed an database with
information on 52 Jamaican IAS
• Generated a Cataloguer of the IAS
database accessible via the internet
• Increased public awareness of
Jamaican IAS through the
brochure ‘Alien Invaders in our
Environment’
• Documented the findings of the
project.
Photo: Karen McIntyre African Tulip Tree
Photo: Elizabeth Morrison Suckermouth Catfish
Photo: Aisha Bailey Wild Hops
SOCIETYSOCIETYSOCIETYSOCIETY
JAMAICANJAMAICANJAMAICANJAMAICAN
ECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEM
ECONOMYECONOMYECONOMYECONOMY
Invasive Alien Species andInvasive Alien Species andInvasive Alien Species andInvasive Alien Species and
JAMAICAN SOCIETYJAMAICAN SOCIETYJAMAICAN SOCIETYJAMAICAN SOCIETY
Black Rat (Ratttus rattus)
Populations were likely accidentally introduced on ships during the 17th
century.
Rats pose serious health risks to humans and other mammals. In Jamaica rats are well known for transmitting Eosinophillic Meningitis and Leptospirosis. In 2006 there was a 100%
increase in dogs infected with Leptospirosis and the Ministry of Health reported 326 laboratory
confirmed cases of Leptospirosis among humans.
Information Courtesy of theInformation Courtesy of theInformation Courtesy of theInformation Courtesy of the
FOLLOWINGFOLLOWINGFOLLOWINGFOLLOWING
Apart from changing the course of Jamaica’s natural history, IAS have influenced our society. Public health has been jeopardized by growing populations of exotic species. These organisms may transmit pathogens and diseases to humans as well as domesticated animals. Many domesticated animals can also become quite invasive and affect human health (eg. dogs and pigs). Invasive alien plants are also known for creating allergic reactions (eg. black wattle). IAS in Jamaica also threaten our society by affecting native species that serve as cultural icons (eg. Thiara snail and the Jamaican Bussu Festival). Socio-economics within local communities have also been affected by IAS. Jobs that depend on the sustainability of existing Jamaican biodiversity may be at risk.
• Institute of Jamaica
• Jamaica Clearing-House Mechanism
• University of the West Indies
• Jamaica Conservation and Development
Trust
• Jamaica Gleaner
• The Nature Conservancy
• Convention on Biological Diversity
• Williamson M., 1996. Biological
Invasions. New York: Springer.
• CAB International
• United States Geological Survey
• Museum Victoria
CONTACTCONTACTCONTACTCONTACT INFORMATIONINFORMATIONINFORMATIONINFORMATION
Jamaica Clearing House Mechanism Natural History Division Institute of Jamaica 10-16 East Street
Kingston Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 922-0620-6
Fax: (876) 922-1147
Email: [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.jamaicachm.org.jm
Photo: Museum Victoria
Impacts of Invasive Alien Species
Impacts of Invasive Alien Species
Impacts of Invasive Alien Species
Biological InvasionsBiological InvasionsBiological InvasionsBiological Invasions
andandandand
JAMAICAN JAMAICAN JAMAICAN JAMAICAN
ECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEM
ECONOMYECONOMYECONOMYECONOMY
andandandand
SOCIETYSOCIETYSOCIETYSOCIETY
Clearing-House
Mechanism
Institute of Jamaica
Natural History Division
The Effects ofThe Effects ofThe Effects ofThe Effects of
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONSBIOLOGICAL INVASIONSBIOLOGICAL INVASIONSBIOLOGICAL INVASIONS Invasive Alien Species andInvasive Alien Species andInvasive Alien Species andInvasive Alien Species and
JAMAICAN ECOSYSTEMJAMAICAN ECOSYSTEMJAMAICAN ECOSYSTEMJAMAICAN ECOSYSTEM Invasive Alien Species andInvasive Alien Species andInvasive Alien Species andInvasive Alien Species and
JAMAICAN ECONOMY JAMAICAN ECONOMY JAMAICAN ECONOMY JAMAICAN ECONOMY
Australian Redclaw (Cherax quadricarinatus)
Introduced to Jamaica in 1995 for the purposes of fisheries improvement.
Native to Australia
Escaped the confines of ponds in St. Elizabeth and first sited in the Black River.
Resilience and ability of Cherax to grow in slightly saline waters gives population a competitive
advantage over native Macrobrachium spp. which are gradually being displaced from the Black River.
Mock Orange (Pittosporum undulatum)
Introduced to the Blue Mountains in 1883 as an ornamental plant.
Native to Australia
Mock orange has an approximate density of 71 stems per acre.
Manual labour, equipment and ranger supervision cost approximately JA$430,000 to remove a mere 20 acres of Pittosporum undulatum from the Blue
Mountains.
Biological invasions result from the movement of a species outside of its native range consequent to intentional or accidental human action (Williamson, 1996). When such species pose a threat to natural biodiversity and/or human societies they are referred to as invasive alien species (IAS). The establishment of IAS is a complex but common phenomenon in many parts of the world. In fact, IAS are considered the second greatest threat posed to biodiversity globally. However, in evolutionarily isolated ecosystems, such as islands, IAS possibly are THE greatest threat to our ecosystems. In developing countries such as Jamaica, the livelihood of its people are extremely vulnerable to the disturbance of the environment on which they depend. In Jamaica some 84 IAS are recognized and all have caused some change to the habitats or surrounding human communities they invade. The impacts of IAS in Jamaica span four main areas: • ECOLOGY • ECONOMICS • HEALTH • HERITAGE/CULTURE Understanding how these organisms influence our environment and society is the first step to mitigating the dangers caused by biological invasions.
Jamaica is known for its high endemicity and distribution of native flora and fauna. These ecosystems are very sensitive to the sudden ecological changes brought about by invasive species. IAS affect ecosystems by-: • Altering the physio-chemical features of
a habitat (e.g. sucker-mouth catfish) • Introducing pathogens and diseases (e.g. rats and mice) • Increasing inter-specific competition (e.g. Australian Redclaw) • Increasing predation (e.g. Wolf Cichlid) There have been several instances observed of the gradual displacement of native flora and fauna around the island due to the introduction of alien species.
It is estimated that damage caused by invasive species worldwide total US$1.4 trillion (5% of global economy). As with many other countries, IAS have affected Jamaica’s economy in two main ways: Invasive species; often with little or no economic benefit, have displaced flora and fauna with commercial and recreational significance. Such an effect has been specially noted in large and small scale agriculture and aquaculture in Jamaica (eg. coffee berry borer, water hyacinth). There have been growing campaigns on the education, protection, eradication and management of IAS in Jamaica. These efforts are often very costly, diverting budgets of government, NGO’s and industrial agencies to curtailing the effects of alien species in our natural environment (eg. green mussel, ginger lily).
Photo: Sean Townsend Photo: Elizabeth Morrison