Risk Assessment and Prioritisation for Invasive Species

John Kelly

Overview

• Aims of RA process • Overview of methodology • Preliminary results• Pathway and vector management - which are

already covered by COP/Legislation/Education and awareness, which are not being managed at all?

• Implications for Ireland - species, pathways, new challenges

• What actions are needed? ISI plans, gaps and needs

• Next steps

What is Invasive Species Risk Assessment?

High RiskDefine Management

Priorities

ISAPs

Prevent further invasion, if appropriate

Recorded species

Risk Assessment

Medium Risk

Define Management Priorities

ISAPs/Guidance

Prevent further invasion, if appropriate

Low Risk

Re-evaluate in future, if required

High RiskDevelop exclusion

strategies

Monitor for incursion

Develop response capabilities

Medium Risk

Consider exclusion strategies

Monitor for incursion

Develop response capabilities

Potential species

Low Risk

Re-evaluate in future, if required

Sources of information

Recorded species list

• National Biodiversity Data Centre

• CEDaR• Quercus report• Global Invasive

Species Database– Ireland

• Biochange Database

Potential species list

• GB Non-Native Species Secretariat

• Quercus report• EPPO Priority List• Global Invasive

Species Database– GB, France, Germany,

Netherlands• JNCC Marine Invaders

Basic Informatio

n

Habitat Informatio

n

Pathways and

Vectors

Risk Assessmen

t

Current Distribution

Expanding range

Invasive History

Spread Potential

Availability of suitable habitats

Risk Assessmen

t

Conservation Goals

Plant and/or Animal Health

Human Health

Economy

Management

Risk Summary

Results

• Preliminary results available• Ranked lists emerging• Developing Risk Communication Tools• Habitats• Pathways and Vectors

Frequency of Scores: Recorded Species

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 260

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

TerrestrialMarineFreshwater

Uncertainty: Traffic Light System

Red – High degree of uncertainty in the assessment. Very little documented evidence to support assessment.

Amber – Reasonable degree of confidence but more reliance on expert opinion.

Green – High degree of confidence in in the assessment. Reliance on documented evidence.

Uncertain – Probable – Expert Opinion - Documented

Current distribution

Expanding range

Invasive history

Facilitated spread

Widespread habitats

Impact on conservation goals

Plant or animal health impact

Human health impact

Economic impact

Management difficulty

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

Harmonia axyridis risk profile

Current distribution

Expanding range

Invasive history

Facilitated spread

Widespread habitats

Impact on conservation goals

Plant or animal health impact

Human health impact

Economic impact

Management difficulty

0

0.5

1

Myriophyllum aquaticum risk profile

Frequency of Scores: Potential Species

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 260

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

TerrestrialMarineFreshwater

Proximity of donor regions

Occurance in similar climate

Realistic pathway of unintentional introduction

Realistic pathway of intentional introduction

Availibility of suitable habitats

Impact on conservation goals

Plant or animal health impact

Human health impact

Economic impact

Management difficulty

0

0.5

1

Thaumetopoea processionea risk profile

Proximity of donor regions

Occurance in similar climate

Realistic pathway of unintentional introduction

Realistic pathway of intentional introduction

Availibility of suitable habitats

Impact on conservation goals

Plant or animal health impact

Human health impact

Economic impact

Management difficulty

0

0.5

1

Dikerogammarus villosus risk profile

Shippin

g (ballast

wat

er a

nd sed

imen

ts)

Canals

Hortic

ulture

(plants

)

Aquacultu

re/m

aricu

lture

pro

ducts

Other

impor

ts

Fish

eries

Boatin

g/wat

er spor

ts

Angling

Unregula

ted in

tentio

nal re

leas

e

Scientifi

c re

sear

ch V

ecto

r of

Spread

Wat

erway

s m

ainte

nance

Esca

pe fro

m cap

tivity

Natura

l disp

ersa

l

Other

(give

details)

0

5

10

15

20

25

Unintentional Pathway/Vectors for High and Medium Risk Freshwater Species

Pathways of Introduction Freshwater Vectors of Spread

Other emerging trends

• Pet species• Unregulated release is still an issue• Biosecurity• Guidance on keeping non-natives• Engagement with the Early Warning Network

A lot done, more to do

• Codes of Practice– Water Users– Aquaculture– Horticulture– Marina Operators

• Invasive Species Action Plans• Promote existing and forthcoming legislative

provisions– All stakeholders!!

Public Awareness

Be Pet Wise

Further considerations

• What species are coming into Ireland and Northern Ireland?– No central database– No central organisation providing guidance

• Constantly changingRecorded species Potential species

• Climate change• No clear ‘home’ for species found in houses

Next Steps

• Finalise and Review all Risk Assessments• Publish results• Prevent incursion of high risk species• Promote Biosecurity• Early Warning

– Recording