Invasive Alien Species (IAS) which can be animals, plants, or pathogens are species that have been introduced (unintentionally or intentionally) to new environments or ecosystems and have become destructive to the natural habitats like forests and the costs of preventing and managing IAS in the US has been estimated at $138 billion per year but the number globally per year is around $1.4 trillion US. Invasive alien species have adverse effects on food security, human health, biodiversity, and habitat.
Of an estimated 6000 plant species that are cultivated for food, only fewer than 200 contribute to the global food output. The world’s livestock is based on 40 animal species, with 26% at risk of extinction globally. Invasive alien species like the tropical bont tick (Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius) affects cattle by causing heartwater disease which can create less quality cowhide, and milk, and lead to the eventual death of the animal afflicted with it. Another is the lionfish (Pterois volitans) which is a carnivorous and venomous fish that reduces native fish populations, often eating important commercial fish species like grouper and parrotfish. Read more about these invasive alien species in our policy brief ‘Invasive Species Threaten Livelihoods and Valuable Biodiversity in the Caribbean’.
In the Caribbean, biosecurity can be used to manage relevant risks to animal, human, and plant life. Biosecurity covers food safety, the introduction of plant and animal diseases, and pests among other things. This strategic approach would include policy and regulatory frameworks that are effective for a biosecurity system. This system would ensure trained staff are aware of key biosecurity risks faced by the country and prevent the entrance and spread within national borders. Read more about how biosecurity can be strengthened in our policy brief ‘Improving Biosecurity will Safeguard our Health, Economy and Irreplaceable Biodiversity’.
Source:
UNEP – Invasive species – a huge threat to human well-being
Policy Brief – Invasive Species Threaten Livelihoods and Valuable Biodiversity in the Caribbean
Policy Brief – Improving Biosecurity will Safeguard our Health, Economy, and Irreplaceable Biodiversity
FAO – The biodiversity that is crucial for our food and agriculture is disappearing by the day