International Workshop - Session 2

Management plan of alien organisms in Korea

International Workshop on Eco-city and Biodiversity Session 2: Biodiversity

Management plan of alien organisms in Korea*Jihyon KIL 1)

1) Natural Environment Research Division, NIER, Korea*Corresponding author (kiljh@nier.go.kr)

Keywords: Invasive alien species; Biodiversity act; Preventive measures

Biological invasions are major threats for biodiversity conservation. Invasive alien species hasbeen shown to cause severe economic damage in the United States (Pimentel et al. 2000), and prevention of invasion and control of them already present is a task of posing urgency over the world. There has been rarely interested on alien species until the early 1980’s in Korea but it was noticed the necessity of research on alien species in order to conserve biodiversity and walk together in the international trend in the 1990’s. The number of alien species has been increasing since 1995. Recently, the increasing ratio becomes over 50% than the previous year (Fig. 1).

In Korea, colonization of alien species is rapidly increasing because of the current expansion of international trade . In 2013, 2,167 alien species is listed, but this number is tentative and the real

number may be larger (Table 1).The Invasive Alien Species in Korea is managed under

the “Act on the Conservation and Uses of Biodiversity”, which regulates the importation, raising, and other handlings of invasive alien species. And it also provides for the control of damage caused by them.

Fig. 1 The increasing trend of alien species in Korea

The law was enacted on February, 2012 and took effect in 2013.There are two categories to do deal with alien species in this Act(Fig. 2). First, among alien species that are introduced in Korea, 18 species were designated as invasive alien species including bullfrog, bass, burcucumber. Second, to cope with the potential risks of invasive alien species, preventive measures were adopted in Biodiversity Act implemented in 2013 in Korea. Among alien species that are not yet introduced in Korea, 24 species were designated as alert species. To manage alien species systematically, the 1st Management Plan of Alien Organisms in Korea was prepared by the Ministry of Environment on June, 2014. The main fields

of this plan are as follows; reinforcement the survey and database of alien species, management of introduced alien species, preventive measures of unintroduced species, systematic and strategic control of alien species, and strengthen awareness to the public.

Two representative examples of invasive alien species, that have recently become trouble along riversides. These two species, Sicyos angulatus (burcucumber) and Myocastor coypus (nutria) are the species that required priority measures.

Sicyos angulata, burcucumber, has widely spread along four main rivers in the Republic of Korea since its first appearance in 1989. Spread from invasion foci by sprawling growth and limited random dispersal by animals and humans produced large population causing massive influx of seed

Table 1. The number of Alien species in 2013

Group (No. of Species)Animal Mammals (201)

Avian (134)Reptiles (329)Amphibians (22)Fish (887)Invertebrate (260)

Plant (334)Total number (2,167)

November 13, 2014; Kawasaki, Japan

into streams. Several municipalities in Korea suffer from extensive growth of S. angulatablanketing vegetation along rivers and lakesides (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2 Outline of legal framework for alien species in Korea under the Biodiversity Act

Several management measures have been tested. Routine mowing at riversides and waterfronts was usually enough to remove S. angulata where the piling up of reeds on undisturbed riversides was not effective to suppress burcucumber growth. Long belts of emergent hydrophytes densely growing along river proved to form an efficient barrier to prevent invasion of S. angulata through flowing water.

Hydromorphology of the rivers leading to rapid linear flow reduces the opportunities for the settlement of seeds. Submersion of S. angulata for a few days during floods caused complete disintegration of S. angulata. These results implicate that combined use of hydrological and mechanical management methods are recommendable to cope with invasion of S. angulata.

Nutria was initially introduced into Korea from France in 1985, mainly for fur and food production, but all individuals failed to survive for harsh winter. In 1987, 60 Nutrias were brought in again from Bulgaria which proved to be successful, and the numbers stabilized. While approx. 150,000 Nutrias were thought to have been farmed in Korea in 2001, this number suffered from the poor domestic demand and distribution chain issues. Nowadays,

abandoned or escaped nutria was established in natural habitat in Korea (Fig. 4). It was initiated in 2014 that nutria control project has been targeted to exterminate within the next 10 years.

Fig. 4 The change of nutria distribution from 2006 to 2014

References:Kil, J.H., Kong, H.Y., Koh, K.S., J. M. Kim, J.M. (2006) Management of the spread of Sicyos angulata in

Korea.NEOBIOTA. 4th European Conference on Biological Invasions, Vienna (Ausrtia), 27-29 Sep.Kil, J.H. and Kim, C.G. (in press) Overview of preventive measures against invasive alien pecies in Korea and

suggestions for their improvement. Ecology and Environment.Ministry of Environment (2014) The 1st Management Plan of Alien Organism. Pimentel, D., Lach, L., Zuniga, R., and Morrison, D. (2000) Environmental and economic costs of nonindegenous

species in the United States. BioScience, 50, 53-65.

Alien species already introduced in Korea

Risk assessment(National Institute of Ecology)

Prohibition of importing, carrying, raising, planting, storing etc.

(Regional Environmental Management Offices)

Designation of “Invasive Alien Species”(Ministry of Environment)

Screening of potential invaders(National Institute of Ecology)

Designation of “Alert Species”

(Ministry of Environment)

High risk to biodiversity Not

regulated

Low risk

Alien species not yet introduced in Korea

Potential invaders

Not regulated

No

Restriction on importing and carrying

(Regional Environmental Management Offices)

Fig. 3 Burcucumber growth in Seoul

1

KIL Jihyon National Institute of Environmental Research, Ministry of Environment, KOREA

2

0

80

(%)

100

20

40

60

1,109 894

2,167

607 800 1,833

287 2009 2011 2013

309 334

Animal Plant

Year

＜Increasing trend of alien organisms in Korea from 2009 to 2014>

Taxon Species number

Animals

Mammals 201

Birds 134

Reptiles 329

Amphibians 22

Fish 887

Invertebrates 260

Subtotal 1,833

Plants 334

Total 2,167

Total number of Alien organisms introduced in Korea: 2,167 (1,833 animals, 334 plants)

- Continuous increase of alien organisms in Korea

3

< Outline of legal framework for invasive alien species in Korea under the Biodiversity Act>

Alien species already introduced in Korea

Risk assessment (National Institute of Ecology)

Prohibition of importing, carrying, raising, planting, storing etc.

(Regional Environmental Management Offices)

Designation of “Invasive Alien Species” (Ministry of Environment)

Screening of potential invaders (National Institute of Ecology)

Designation of “Alert Species”

(Ministry of Environment)

High risk to biodiversity Not

regulated

Low risk

Alien species not yet introduced in Korea

Potential invaders

Not regulated

No

Restriction on importing and carrying (Regional Environmental

Management Offices)

4

Lithosbates catesbeianuus Lepomis macrochirus Micropterus salmoides Trachemys spp. Myocastor coypus Lycorma delicatula

Ambrosia trifida A. artemisiifolia Eupatorium rugosum Paspalum distichum P.distichum var. indutum,

Solanum carolinense

Sicyos angulatus Rumex acetocella Hypochaeris radicata Aster pilosus, Solidago altissima Lactuca scariola

1st 1st

2nd 2nd

3rd 1st

4th 4th 4th 4th

5th

5th 5th 5th 5th 5th 6th

6th

1998. 1st round of designation of IAS 1999. 2nd round of designation of IAS 2001. 3rd round of designation of IAS 2002. 4th round of designation of IAS 2009. 5th round of designation of IAS 2012. 6th round of designation of IAS

5

Public awareness campaigns for management & eradication of IAS

• Burcucumber removal campaigns

• Bass removal efforts using natural enemies

• Selection and concentration of priority control species by each local env.agency

Pan-ministerial cooperation to create positive synergy effects

• Nutria eradication: visible outcomes achieved via collaboration with relevant Ministries

- In 2013, monetary reward amount was adjusted (KRW20,000)

in capacity of different local governments.

• To better protect biodiversity a voluntary agreement between MOE and

Korea Expressway Corporation was signed in Sept, 2013

6

History of Nutria introduction in Korea

1985. Imports from France for fur/meat, died all (n=100) 1987. Import from Bulgaria and Reproduced (n=60) 2001. Farming peak at 470 sites (n=150,000) 2006. Start Survey upon Claims (Green house farmers) 2013. Start “Nutria Zero in Korea” by MOE/NIE/Local

Control method of nutria

Crop and aquatic plant damage

Nutria live trap Floating live trap

Natural enemy(leopard cat) Repellent

Number of captured nutria

Number of captures

2011 2012 2013 total

MOE(local env.) &

local governments 581 1,135 3,349 5,065

7

(Legal framework) Act on the Conservation and the Use of Biodiversity (Article21)

[Major contents] 3 main objects, investment of KRW 6 billion for 10 years

. Implementation framework for effective IAS

control

• Different focal tasks for each organization: the ME, local environment agencies, the NIE • Eradication strategy committee, local eradication force, Nutria control support groups

Eradication project

• <stage 1> Field survey (National Institute of Ecology) • <stage 2> Eradication efforts (Local environment agency – cities, counties and individuals) • <stage 3> Eradication progress management [Local environment agency, the NIE] • <stage 4> After care and evaluation (Local environment agency, the NIE]

Science based approach

• Target species'ecological characteristics, trains, distribution model, various capture techniques, public education and promotion programs

8

Nutria live trap

a b

c

Driving force Spread mode Remark Water stream Radial growth Random displacement Embedding in soil Differential germination Elongated growth

linear sprawl animal- or wind-carry temporal continuity environmental adaptation invasive

rapid and distant spread local growth step-wise dispersion repeated growth ensure existence enhance over-growth

<Driving force and spread mode of S. angulata invasion>

Spread barrier Mode of action Remark Management Flooding Biological interaction Cold weather Erosion Emergent hydrophyte belt

removal on site die off competition withering wash away physical barrier

no flowering chance rapid and extensive growth intervention limit seed production loss of seed limited invasion

<Spread barrier against S. angulata invasion>

<Detailed map of S. angulata at some major distribution sites along the Han river.> A; Chuncheon, B; Yanpyeong, C; Jamwon, D; Bam island.

<Population change of Bam island in the Han river>

<A dense belt of emergent aquatic hydrophyte prevents the influx of burcucumber seeds with running water>

9

Distribution of Burcucumber in Korea

Acridotheres tristis Anoplolepis gracilipes

Micropterus dolomieu

Peromyscus maniculatus Rattus exulans Perna viridis Siniperca chuatsi Carduus

acanthoides

Carduus tenuiflorus Cenchrus echinatus

Centaurea maculosa

Chromolaena odorata

Cynanchum rossicum

Fallopia baldschuanica

Heracleum sosnowskyi

Hydrocotyle ranunculoides

Mikania micrantha Neyraudia reynaudiana

Senecio madagascariensis Spartina alterniflora Spartina anglica Sphagneticola

trilobata Urochloa mutica Vulpia bromoides

2013.11.26 Designation of Alert Species

10

11

Designation of alert species by law was implemented in Jan, 2014 to prevent introduction of IAS and to minimize the spread of IAS in Korea - 24 species (in total with 7 animals, 17 plants) are designated and notified in Nov, 2013 - Import & export approval must be granted followed by risk screening by MOE (NIE)

Family and species Areas where the species is invasive Potential invasion pathway Mammals Rattus exulans Australia, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Pacific region, Taiwan, US, transported by human vessels,food source Peromyscus maniculatus Mexico Not reported Bird Acridotheres tristis Australia, Fiji, Israel, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, US Ornamental, pet, crop protection Fish Micropterus dolomieu Japan Fishing Siniperca chuatsi Not reported Aquaculture Mollusk Perna viridis Atlantic Ocean, Australia, Jamaica, Trinidad, US, Venezuela Ship ballast water Insect Anoplolepis gracilipes Australia, China, Cook Islands, Guam, Indonesia, Japan, US Transported in soil and timber, packaging materials Plants Cynanchum rossicum Canada, Norway, US Contaminant in seeds or plants Carduus acanthoides US Contaminant in seeds or plants Carduus tenuiflorus US Contaminant in seeds or plants Centaurea maculosa US Contaminant in seeds or plants Chromolaena odorata Africa, Asia, Australia, US Ornamental, Soil improver Mikania micrantha Australia, China, US Medicine Senecio madagascariensis US Contaminant in seeds or plants, ornamental Sphagneticola trilobata US Ornamental, landscape Cenchrus echinatus Australia, China, US Contaminant in seeds or plants Neyraudia reynaudiana US Contaminant in seeds or plants Spartina alterniflora China, Japan, US Erosion control/bank stabilization, fodder, forage, packing material, ballast water discharge Spartina anglica Australia, China, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, US Landscape, erosion control, fodder, forage Urochloa mutica US Erosion control, fodder feed Vulpia bromoides US Contaminant in seeds or plants Fallopia baldschuanica US Ornamental Heracleum sosnowskyi Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia Fodder, ornamental Hydrocotyle ranunculoides Australia, Belgium, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands Aquaculture, Ornamental

Vision & Strategies of the

1

2

3

4

5 12

1. Surveys on current status of alien species & informationization

Nationwide surveys will be conducted every 3 year to identify major pathways,

IAS monitoring and surveillance at national level

30 most harmful/ prevalent AS will be identified by 2018, followed by highly detailed

investigations on the species

Comprehensive AS search engine will be operated including scientific names, habitats

and distribution of AS

Providing customized public education for student, civil groups and experts

13

2. Management of introduced alien species

Increasing the number of ecological risk assessment (37 species in 2014 → 115 species in 2018)

Expansion of IAS designation (18 species in 2014 → 25 species in 2018) When designated as IAS, interim management measures & introduction of ‘polluter pays principle’ to be applied

Priority control for species of high rate of prevalence * Bass, bluegill, nutria, burcucumber, giant ragweed, frost aster (6 species) -> Local cooperation groups for effective management & public engagement

Pan-ministerial (the Ministry of Environment, local government, National institute of Ecology) Eradication project (local eradication force & monetary reward policy, etc) & post mortem tests

14

3. Preventive measures for alert species

By 2018, more than 100 designated potentially harmful species as prevention * (alert species) non-native species that can potentially pose invasive threats to endemic ecosystem Continuous development of detailed guidelines & evaluation categories for accurate assessment and screening

Tightened import approval & regulations when introducing non - native species

Strengthened field monitoring (twice per yr), breeding & farming facilities guidelines,

management protocols to minimize the influence of potentially harmful species

15

4. Systematic management

Comprehensive alien species management & regulations: National Biodiversity Committee Professional research Institute was established in 2013: National Institute of Ecology Ecological risk assessment & screening team was initiated in 2014: MOE (NIE)

16

Development managing technique for the protection from the threat of alien species (R&D, ‘16~21’)

Human resources education program established for field work, monitoring on distribution – NIE Professional exchange and overseas training program will be offered to benchmark successful control

5. International cooperation & public education

By operating public engaging programs, K-BON etc, public awareness raising and

voluntary participation will be boosted.

Customized education programs for students & professionals

Through various projects at national parks, promotion publications to raise public

participation in the field of alien species

＜Mobile app. for the public engaging programs in K-BON>

17

Based on North east countries’ cooperation & Tripartite TEMM, sustainable collaboration will

be expanded in the field of alien species exports/ imports

International conferences, workshops, various MOUs will boost information & knowledge

sharing with neighboring countries.

Government

Zoo/ botanical garden

Universities

Research Centre

International network

18

Proposals for the Tripartite cooperation 1. Alien species field survey & informationization

Nationwide monitoring & surveillance

Specified control measures for IAS of high risk

2. Alien species management

3. Prevention tools for future introduction of AS 4. International cooperation

Information sharing on risk assessment methods & screening categories

Exploring further for effective assessment; ‘polluter pays principle’ etc

Designating priority management species for highly invasive species

Alien mammal species capture projects & effective after treatment measures

Education program for each countries’ customized alien species management

Tripartite cooperation for the species of common interests

Information sharing of alien species DB

5. Other matters - Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Survey of Coastal Sand dunes, etc.

Problems of planting trees on coastal dunes (eg. Pinus thunbergii, Robinia pseudoacacia) Management of non-native plants on coastal dunes.

19

Biodiversity Is Our Hope.

References 1. Kil, J.H. H.Y. Kong, K.S. Koh and J.M.Kim. 2007. Management of the spread of Sicyos angulata in

the Republic of Korea. In: Rabitsch, W., F. Essl & F. Klingenstein (Eds.): Biological Invasions- from

Ecology to Conservation. NEOBIOTA 7 (2007): 76-83 2. Kil, J.H. Y.H. Kil. - 2013. Field Guide to the Invasive Alien Species in Korea. NIER, Korea 3. Lee, D.H. and J.H. Kil. 2013. Eological characteristics and management of muskrat in Korea. NIER, Korea

4. Kil,J.H. and C.G.Kim. 2014. Overview of Preventive Measures against Invasive Alien Species in

Korea and Suggestions for their Improvement. Ecology and Environment. Korea (in press)

5. Ministry of Environment. 2014. 2014-2018 1st Management of Alien Organism. Korea.