National Strategy on Invasive Species and National Invasive Species Information System

1. VIII Trilateral Committee Meeting Invasive Species as a Trilateral Challenge Mexico National Strategy on Invasive Species and National Invasive Species Information System Laura Arriaga Albuquerque April 29, 2003

2. Main Issues • Process to build up a National Strategy to approach the invasive species problem in Mexico. • National Information System on Invasive Species for Mexico. Rapistrum rugosum Oreochromis mossambicus Lablab purpureus

3. International Commitments and Conabio • Convention on Biological Diversity • Article 8. In situ Conservation • (h): Prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species; • CONABIO is the National Focal Point of the Clearinghouse Mechanism derived from the CBD • CONABIO is responsible of implementing the National Biodiversity Information System, which includes the Invasive Species Information System

4. Process to build up the Mexican National Strategy to address the problem of Alien Invasive Species Aquatic environments Biological and socioeconomical problems generated by AIS Terrestrial environments Conceptual framework Strategic responses and actions Action Plan • Five workshops, with 50 experts from 42 academic institutions, governmental agencies, ngo, and industry, have already been done. • Five more workshops are needed to complete the participatory process.

5. 1. Definitions 2. Criteria to characterize alien invasive species • 3. Sources and pathways • Terrestrial Species • Aquatic Species Conceptual Framework 4. Establishment 5. Dispersion • 6. Impact • Biodiversity • Agroforestry and range activities • Fisheries • Health • Tourism • Other related economic activities

6. Diagnosis of the problems generated by AIS Preventive Actions Strategic responses and actions Early warning Management (eradication and control) Informatics, research, and monitoring Public awareness and education Regulatory measures and policies Inter-governmental cooperation • Five more workshops will be carried out with governmental agencies, educational institutions, ngo, and policy makers to end up the participatory process

7. Pathways for aquatic invasive species and species selection Pathways • Aquaculture / mariculture • Pet, aquaria, ornamental plant • Ballast waters Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum Species Selection • Workshops with experts • Species technical information • Taxonomic • Ecological • Policy • Management • Public value • Bibliographic information Procambarus clarkii

8. Invasive Species Information System • Systematize and compile the available information concerning invasive species for terrestrial and aquatic environments. • Obtain species checklists for each biological group and define priority species to develop specific ecological studies. • Determine the current geographical distribution of the invasive species and its potential ecological niches in Mexico. • Develop risk assessments for biodiversity • Define strategies to manage these species with all stakeholders, mainly with the responsible Ministries. Caulerpa taxifolia

9. Invasive Species Information System State of Art • Checklists of exotic and traslocated species • 861 vascular plants • 60 mammals • 25 birds • 10 amphibians and reptiles • 76 fishes • 6 crustaceans • 6 mollusks Rana catesbeiana • Species ecological information • Distributional maps of the invasive species native range and potential niches of their distribution in Mexico • Risk analyses for biodiversity (early detection and warning) Potential distribution of coffee crops Ceratitis capitata

10. Prototype for aquatic invasive species

11. Oreochromis mossambicus

12. Risk Assessment • Risk assessments for early detection and warning • Species identification and characterization of its native range of distribution • Obtaining specimens information (localities where these have been sampled) in scientific collections • Model potential ecological niches with predictive tools • Validation with experts • Document main features of the sources and pathways of the potential invader and of its establishment and dispersion phases • Technical report • Discuss strategies with involved authorities

13. Preventive Risk Assessments • Risk assessments are done in collaboration with the Ministries of Agriculture (Sagarpa), Environment (Semarnat), and Health (SS). • Several case studies have been worked out with Sagarpa, and also with Semarnat and SS: • Opuntia-Cactoblastis cactorum -Most successful case study • Bombus terrestris • Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata • West Nile Virus

14. Potential overlapping areas between the Opuntia and the moth,Cactoblastis cactorum,in North America Orange and yellow lines: Similar ecological areas for the moth Areas in blue: Species accumulation of Opuntia

15. Participation with International Initiatives • Constitute a national node and participate in the international initiatives coordinated by the Global Invasive Species Program (GISP). • Actions to create a regional node for North America in collaboration with the USGS and CEC.