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Concept Note
Online session, 8 April 2024
UTC-6:00, NZST-18:00, JST-15:00, CST-14:00, IST-11:30, EAT-9:00, CAT/CET-8:00
Invasive alien species in Asia and Oceania and measures for them
Invasive alien species pose a significant threat to the conservation of biodiversity worldwide. They often lack natural controls in their new environments, allowing them to spread rapidly and outcompete native species. This can lead to the decline or extinction of native species, especially on oceanic islands that are home to many endemic species with little competitive ability. Invasive species can also introduce new diseases and pathogens to native species, leading to population declines and extinctions. Globalization facilitates the unintentional introduction of invasive species through trade and travel. Coordinated efforts at local, national, and international levels are needed, including prevention, early detection, eradication, and management strategies for invasive species. In addition, public awareness and education are essential to minimize unintentional introductions.
Video of the webinar
Coordinator & Moderator:
Noriaki Murakami, Tokyo Metropolitan University, IUBS Executive Committee Member
Invited speakers:
- Ravinder Kohli, Amity University Punjab, IUBS ExecutiveCommittee Member (video: 13:07)
“Invasion of Alien plants in India, implications and suggested remedial measures”
- Ian Dickie, University of Canterbury, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, Christchurch, New Zealand (video: 55:59)
“Linked plant-fungal invasions and implications for management in the context of New Zealand”
- Masahito Yoshida, University of Tsukuba, Nature Conservation Society of Japan (video: 1: 30:29)
“Pathway control of invasive alien species in remote islands – an example of Ogasawara Islands Natural World Heritage, Japan”
Questions addressed during the webinar:
During this webinar we will discuss the following questions to protect native biodiversity from the threat of invasive alien species.
(1) What is the current situation of invasive alien species in Asia and Oceania?
(2) What are the relevant actions?
Report of the session on Aliens Species
Learn more about the panelists:
Ian Dickie is an ecosystem ecologist focussing on the development and application of molecular tools to determine the role of fungal communities in community and ecosystem-level outcomes. His main research interests spans the breadth of fungi, including mycorrhizas, wood decay fungi, and pathogens. He has also applied similar approaches to soil invertebrates, plant communities, bacteria, and oomycetes. One application is in the invasion of woody plants, including the invasion of wilding conifers. Using molecular identifications of fungi on tree roots, he has shown that trees are largely co-invading with non-native fungi, transforming ecosystem function belowground.
Ravinder Kohli is a Certified Emeritus Senior Ecologist of ESA, decorated with several awards. He is currently the former Vice-chancellor of the Central University of Punjab for 6 years. Earlier, he was the Dean University Instructions, Dean Research, and Chairman Botany department and Environment Science at Panjab University Chandigarh.He is a Fellow of all four official National Science Academies (INSA, IAS, NASI, and NAAC) and has been the JC Bose National Fellow for the 2nd. He has successfully guided 53 PhD theses.
Masahito Yoshida is a professor of World Heritage Studies, University of Tsukuba and the Executive-Director of Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J). He is also a member of World Commission on Protected Areas (Natural World Heritage and Protected Landscape Specialist Group) and a member of Species Survival Commission (Invasive Alien Species Specialist Group) of IUCN . He has been appointed as a UNESCO Chair-holder of Nature-Culture Linkages in Heritage Conservation since 2017.