Presented by Mario Martin

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Exotic/Invasive/
Alien/Non-
native /foreign
species
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Definition

▪ Exotic species –any organism (plant/animal) not found in

the geographical area/non-native to area but which was
transferred by accidental or deliberate means/ways from
another area.
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Reasons for exotics/non-native
species
1. Pet trade- wildlife/illegal pet trade; exotics enter many countries via
legal/illegal means. Eg Blue Yellow Macaw from South America; Spider
Monkeys; several species of snake- python.

2. Agriculture- many plant species have entered via this means through
airports/passengers’ luggage; shipping cargo; port facilities; smuggling
via black market/illegal trade. In agriculture this may be via:

▪ Biological pest control- ladybird beetle brought in from Grenada to control

mealybug investation/destruction in 1990s in Trinidad; Mongoose
introduction during indentureship between 1845-1917.

▪ Horticulture- Orchid introduction/trade in Caribbean.

▪ Accidental via shipping- Giant African Snail brought in via plants

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Reasons for exotic/non-native
introductions
3. Tourism/travel- via cruise ships/shipping eg ballast water
release in areas close to the shore/coastal area- Zebra Mussel in
Canada and other countries have been attributed to this mode of
entry.

4. Natural disasters/nature- Lionfish introduction has been

suspected ti be initiated with this after the passage of Hurricane
Andrew in 1992- Florida to Caribbean Sea (as far south as
Trinidad & Tobago)

5. Migration- some animals could accidentally be found in new

areas due to migration anomalies eg Lionfish from Pacific to
Atlantic Oceans or Anaconda occurrence from Orinoco River flow
into Gulf of Paria/vicinity of Caroni Bird Sanctuary/swamp.
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Characteristics of exotics- ensure
higher survival rate
▪ High reproductive rate- the ability to lay/spawn/produce many
young/eggs etc; high numbers ensure greater chance of
survival. Eg Adult female Lionfish can lay up to 2 million eggs
per year with optimum conditions.

▪ Absence of natural predators- ensures higher numbers; less

predation- Lionfish has no known predators in areas around
T&T coastal areas/Caribbean waters.

▪ Large /Abundant food supply- greater nutrient supply to

support large population of exotic- Lionfish is predatory and
preys on several reef fish species eg bass fish, grouper etc.
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Characteristics of exotics/non native
species- ensure high survival rate

▪ Competitive advantages- ability to compete successfully

against native species for resources eg space eg Kudzu
plant; weeds competing for light; smothering other plants.

▪ Hardy species- ability to be ‘generalists’ rather than

specialists. High tolerance range for abiotic factors eg pH,
temperature range, nutrient levels, chemicals/contaminants
etc. Native species are not as adaptable to sudden changes
in environmental changes vs exotics which are less
vulnerable.
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Effects of Exotics on
Ecosystems/Environment/humans
1. Species/biodiversity reduction- many endemic species can be
removed/reduced through predation, competition or death
from injury; Mongoose has reduced a few Owl species in
Virgin Islands; Burmese python in Everglades- Florida
reduced deer/mammal and several Endangered birds.

2. Ecosystem disturbance- Several alien/invasive species have

made several environments unfavourable for native co-
habitation/co-existence- eg Beaver relocation from Canada to
Tip of South America (dam construction- blockage of water
flow; nutrient cycle disruption)
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Effects of Invasive/exotic species

▪ Disruption in feeding relationships- removal of prey or

organisms; less alternative links for food web; some
natives are endemic (found only in particular geographical
location)- permanent loss/extinction threat; domino effect in
feeding relationship.

▪ Pest/disease introduction/health issues- Introduction of

Lampreys into Great Lakes has parasitized several fish
species; Zebra Mussels concentrate PCBs/toxins as they
are filter feeders and via bioaccumulation and
biomagnification can worsen effects on high level
consumers eg Humans.
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Mitigation measures to address
invasive/exotic species
▪ Legislative/legal institutional framework- drafting, implementation of laws /policies to ban
exotics into countries.

▪ Quarantine facilities to isolate exotics once detected.

▪ Regular checks at all points of entry/securing borders- regular checks by Customs & Excise
Division, Coast Guard etc. (Ports, airports, fishing depots, reserves by game wardens etc).

▪ Research into alternatives- alternatives to biological pest control- GMOs- Genetically

Modified Organisms/food, IPM- Integrated Pest Management.

▪ International Agreements – signed and ratified by member states.- C.I.T.E.S , Convention on

Biological Diversity, Cartagena Convention.

▪ Public Education- advertising-mass media (print, electronic ), social media- Giant African
snail, Lionfish; stakeholder consultation.

▪ Incentives- cash incentives, bragging rights- Lionfish Killing Competitions by THA- Tobago.
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Additional Readings
▪ https://www.environmentalscience.org/invasive-species

▪ https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.worldseed.org/w
p-
content/uploads/2015/10/Global_Conventions_Treaties_That_Cover_Alien_Species.p
df&ved=2ahUKEwjU5eDnzPnsAhWnslkKHavnBbYQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw1
LEnEhsuGm8Pa1QUmkpW7f

▪ https://www.1854treatyauthority.org/environment/invasive-species.html

▪ https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://oceanservice.noaa.g
ov/facts/lionfish.html&ved=2ahUKEwily4bvz_nsAhVkx1kKHVrAA14QFjAYegQIHhAB
&usg=AOvVaw1Kpe2dVYA4WEVhmlaondZj

▪ https://newsday.co.tt/2020/08/10/lionfish-still-a-threat-to-marine-ecosystem/

▪ https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watc
h%3Fv%3DsBvXaIJ4FdQ&ved=2ahUKEwimlsCQ0PnsAhVCi1kKHe0YBl4QtwIwBXo
ECA4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw0CVQUEESfsmhjx23vww3xw
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Assessments

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