Aquatic Species-Pathways

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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
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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
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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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
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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
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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
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Prototype for aquatic invasive species
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Oreochromis mossambicus
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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

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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

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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
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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.