Alien species

Wetlands in Africa are increasingly being recognised as ecosystems of extreme importance to man and biodiversity. However, the management of these wetlands has been impacted by alien invasive species that specialize on aquatic (and semi-aquatic) systems. This booklet introduces alien wetland invaders by describing seven of the worst species already introduced to Africa and mentions several others that are potential threats.

This collection of 52 papers and 21 abstracts focuses on sharing available knowledge to combat the threat of invasive alien species. Turning the target_ide of biological invasion by eradicating invasive species can yield substantial benefits for biodiversity conservation. As more eradications are attempted worldwide, it is increasingly important that lessons are learned from each and every one of these attempts, whether successful or unsuccessful.

Wetlands in Africa are increasingly being recognised as ecosystems of extreme importance to man and biodiversity. However, the management of these wetlands has been impacted by alien invasive species that specialize on aquatic (and semi-aquatic) systems. This booklet introduces alien wetland invaders by describing seven of the worst species already introduced to Africa and mentions several others that are potential threats.

Un gran número de especies exóticas están invadiendo distintos sitios del planeta, y no se trata de seres de otro mundo… sino de terrícolas! En esta publicación son resumidos los principales estudios de caso que se presentaron durante el Taller Regional sobre Especies Invasoras en Mesoamérica y el Caribe que tuvo lugar en Costa Rica en Junio 2001.

Alien invasive species are considered by the Species Survival Commission to be the second largest threat to indigenous species, following habitat destruction. The Netherlands Committee of IUCN has drawn attention to the growing number of invasive species and organized a conference on the issue in September 2000. This publication contains array of papers presented at the Conference on Alien Invasive Species the held in Leiden, the Netherlands.

Numerous initiatives are now underway to deal with the prevention, control, eradication and management of invasive alien species. A regional workshop was held in 1999 to discuss the problem in South and Southeast Asia. This publication contains the country and status reports presented at the workshop and the recommendations for action in the region.