Relevance of invasive species information management tools for policy development and effective management

Judy Fisher

Biodiversity Information Community for Invasive Species

Who should/could be the users of Information Tools?

•Policy Developers / Politicians

•Governments

•Funders of Invasive Species management

•Scientists

•Restoration Ecologists

•Biodiversity land managers

•Community land managers

Why do we need Biodiversity Information Tools for Invasive Species ?

Transformation of ecosystems through invasion is seen as one of the major threats to the world’s biodiversity

(Millenium Ecosystem Assessment 2005)

Invaders threaten biodiversity to the same degree as:• human transformation of ecosystems and • production of green house gases (Sala et al 2000)

2010Global international biodiversity targets aim to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of loss of biodiversity. Instrumental to this is the prevention, control and eradication of invasive species (Convention on Biological Diversity 2003)

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005)

“…tackling the drivers of biodiversity loss in an integrated manner is much more likely to achieve the 2010 targets than tackling them independently”

What are the implications for data provision through Information Management Tools to assist an integrated approach to tackle the invasive species driver?

Case Study Biodiversity Hot Spot

Causes and consequences of invasion in a Biodiversity Hotspot:

Implications for Information Management Tools

The hypothesis:

Invasion of Banksia woodland by the introduced species Ehrharta calycina and Pelargonium capitatum is accompanied by an alteration in ecosystem properties and processes

(CONSEQUENCES)

whereby the degree of change is related to fire frequency and abundance of introduced species

(CAUSES)

Banksia woodland Complex species–rich natural ecosystem major vegetation type of SW Aust coastal sandplain 15 to 90 km inland

400 kms along the coast

Banksia attenuata Banksia menziesii

Banksia woodland6-8 metre

scattered Eucalyptus gomphocephala 30 metres

diverse shrub under-storey

ECOSYSTEM RESEARCHBanksia Woodland

Soil seedbank Soil compaction, moisture Vegetation cover Soil nutrientsLeaf nutrients Disturbance historyInvertebrates Environmental factors

Good condition Medium condition

Ehrharta calycina Pelargonium capitatum

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

GC MC PCe PCp

Vegetation condition

Ger

min

ants

m-2

Native species

Introduced species

a

bb b

AB

A

A

B

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

GC MC PCe PCp

Vegetation condition

Mea

n ac

cum

ulat

ed c

over

Introduced species

Native species

16.5

15

20

37.5

18

11.5

14

19.5

a

ab

b b

Vegetation Cover

Summary- analysed data

Soil seed bank seeds/m-2

Summary - analysed data

Appendix A.1 litter germinants m -2 0-5 cm germinants m -2 5-10 cm germinants m -2

NATIVE SPECIES FR GC1 GC2 MC1 MC2 Pce1 PCe2 PCp1 PCp2 GC1 GC2 MC1 MC2 PCe1 PCe2 PCp1 PCp2 GC1 GC2 MC1 MC2 PCe1 PCe2 PCp1 PCp2

Acacia pulchella S 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 9.2 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 4.6 0 0

Anigozanthus manglesii S 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 32.3 0 36.9 0 23.1 69.2 0 0 23.1 0 4.6 4.6 4.6 0

Austrostipa compressa S 0 396.8 9.2 18.5 0 0 0 0 239.9 747.5 9.2 36.9 9.2 9.2 0 36.9 46.1 166.1 9.2 4.6 0 0 0 0

**'Austrostipa flavescens R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0

**Calandrinia liniflora S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 4.6 4.6 4.6 0 0 4.6 0 18.5 4.6 4.6 0 0 18.5

Calothamnus quadrifidus R 0 4.6 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Conostylis aculeata R 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 110.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 83.1 0 0 0 0

Conostylis setigera R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 55.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Conostylis candicans R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18.46 0 0 0 0

Corynotheca micrantha R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Desmocladus flexuosa R 0 9.2 0 13.8 0 0 0 0 0 46.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 0

**'Dichisma arenaria S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Ficinia nodosa R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0

Gastrolobium capitatum S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Gonocarpus pithyoides R 18.5 0 27.7 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 198.4 0 0 0 13.8 4.6 4.6 0 55.4 0 9.2 9.2 0 0

Hardenbergia comptoniana R 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Hovea trisperma S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 23.1 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0

Isotropis cuneifolia R 0 0 4.6 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

**'J uncus bufonis S 9.2 0 0 0 0 13.8 0 0 166.1 0 193.8 0 124.6 23.1 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 4.6 4.6 0

Lobelia tenuior S 0 0 13.8 0 0 0 4.6 0 13.8 0 124.6 0 13.8 13.8 18.5 13.8 69.2 0 55.4 0 9.2 4.6 0 0

Microtis media R 0 0 9.2 0 4.6 0 4.6 0 0 0 64.6 0 9.2 27.7 78.4 69.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0

Ozothamnus cordatus S 18.5 0 9.2 4.6 9.2 9.2 0 0 69.2 0 41.5 78.4 18.5 41.5 78.4 13.8 4.6 0 0 9.2 4.6 0 9.2 13.8

P etrophile linearis R 0 18.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

**'P oranthera microphylla S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 73.8 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 41.5 0 32.3 0 0 0 0

Scaevola anchusifolia R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27.7 0 0 0 0

Scaevola canescens R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0

**Scaevola thesioides R 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 87.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 78.4 0 0 0 0 0 0

Stirlingia latifolia R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 4.6 0 0 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 0 0

Stylidium repens S 36.9 27.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 373.7 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 4.6 9.2 0 0 0 4.6 0

**'Stylidium striatum S 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Thysanotus sparteus R 0 9.2 0 18.5 0 0 0 0 4.6 60.0 0 0 4.6 0 4.6 4.6 4.6 0.00 9.2 0 0 4.6 0 78.4

Trachymene pilosa S 55.4 120.0 46.1 0 0 0 0 0 253.8 1162.7 120.0 0 0 0 0 50.8 32.3 221.5 27.7 4.6 18.5 4.6 0 0

**Whalenbergia capensis S 0 13.8 0 96.9 0 0 0 0 0 96.9 0 659.8 0 0 0 0 0 32.3 0 9.2 0 0 0 0

Xanthosia huegelii S 9.2 0 0 4.6 0 0 0 0 129.2 175.3 0 18.5 4.6 0 0 0 41.5 4.61 0 0 0 0 0 0

Summary of native seed bank data, more detailed information than in summarised analysed data in previous seed bank graph

0102030405060708090

100

GC PCe PCp

Vegetation condition

P (

To

tal) (

mg

kg

-1)

Total species

ab

c

Mean P(Total) (mg kg-1) in the soil (5cm) beneath native and introduced species in different vegetation conditions in Banksia woodland, Bold Park

Soil one component of summarised/analysed soil data, 60 samples x 8 variables tested, 3 conditions x 2

Mean P (mg/kg-1) leaf concentrations (all species combined) for native and weed species at sites (n=2) in varying condition in Banksia woodland, Bold Park, Perth

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

Good Condition (GC) Poor Ehrharta calycina (PCe) Poor Pelargonium capitatum(PCp)

Vegetation Condition

P (

mg

/kg

-1)

Native species

Weed species

b

B a

A

a

A

Leaf data Graph one nutrient Phosphorus10 species x 4 replicates, 3 conditions x 2 replicates, 9 nutrients = 240 sets of data

CAUSES

Statistical significance of the effect of number of fire events (1963-2000) on vegetation variables in Banksia woodland, southwestern Australia.

Source df Veg. Cover Richness Diversity

of variation

Cond. Total Native Intro. Total Native Intro. Total Native Intro.

Fire Events

2 0.003*

0.055 0.012*

0.130 0.003*

0.007*

0.838 0.150 0.007*

0.194

Residual 5

Total 7

Various plots (scatter, histograms, and normal probability) of the residuals were examined to ensure assumptions were met

Fire Frequency

12345678

Bold ParkNumber of fires 1963-2000

384500383000

64

64

00

06

46

55

00

384500383000

-150000

-100000

-50000

0

50000

100000

Number of f ire events

Are

a in

sq

met

res

Canopy Gain

Canopy Loss

Relationship between number of fire events and canopy change

Canopy and Fire Frequency

Bold Park Canopy Cover 1963 Bold Park Canopy Cover 2000

Good condition

Medium Condition

Poor Ehrharta calycina

Poor Pelargonium capitatum

Shade

Light

Solutions

How do we utilise invasion mechanisms

FIRE and SEED BANK

to achieve clever and sustainable

management interventions?

0

20

40

60

80

100

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Time in w eeks

No.

of g

erm

inan

ts/ l

itter

Native

Introduced 0

20

40

60

80

100

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Time in w eeks

No

. o

f g

erm

ina

nts

/ 0

-5c

m

Native

Introduced

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

litter 0-5 cm 5-10 cm

Soil depthG

erm

inan

ts m

-2

Native Introduced

a

b

a

A A

B

Soil seed bank Germinants by depth

Timing of germination

Ehrharta calycina - Seed density by depth at sites with differing fire histories

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

30004

mth

spo

st fi

re

18 m

ths

post

fire

>8 y

rspo

st fi

re

Goo

dC

ondi

tion

Site type

Seed

s/m

2 litter

0-5 cm

5-10 cm

Study Conclusion

Understanding causes and

consequences of invasion

provides opportunities for creative

management to mitigate past and

adapt to future disturbance

Consequences

Limited native soil seed bank

Very large invasive seed bankAltered vegetation structure and compositionIncreased soil and leaf phosphorusReduced canopyIncreased lightLess shade

PLUS Altered climatic conditions

Increased temperature Less rainfall

Biodiversity / Invasive Species Information Management Tools can tell us which species are most likely to survive in the new ecosystem conditions created by frequent fire and invasion ?

Utilise species adapted to new conditions

Potential assisted

migration

Example

Invasive Species Scientist C M D’Antonio (California)

Visited Perth-invasion of Ehrharta calycina California (Fire)

How to manage the transformer, fire enhancing species ?

Had knowledge from Western Australian research been available through an

Invasive/ Biodiversity Information Tool

• Rapid knowledge access providing Invasive Species Solutions

• Prevent very slow re invention of the wheel

• Reduce the loss of Biodiversity due to Invasive Species

As a potential user of an integrated Biodiversity/ Invasive Species Information Tool, in addition to scientific knowledge for adaptive management, I would like the tool to help me:

Convince decision makers that Biodiversity is valuable and essential to our future

Convince decision makers that biodiversity must be maintained

Convince decision makers that invasive species have a detrimental impact on our biodiversity

Convince decision makers there is an economic advantage to investing in restoration to ensure biodiverse systems dominate invasive species

And then when we have persuaded

the decision makers

I want to ensure the economic investment

in maintaining, protecting and restoring

our biodiversity is effective and

leads to reduced loss of biodiversity due to invasion

TOOL

When developing standards lets consider how the data bases can most effectively maintain and reduce

biodiversity loss

We don’t have forever to halt the loss of biodiversity

Change is occurring in an increasingly rapid rate

To slow the loss of diversity we need as much global information as possible

NOW

The world’s economic decline may provide unforseen opportunities to better manage and maintain our biodiversity

Without active up to date tools we may miss this window of opportunity and lose our biodiversity before the tools are ready to

help us tackle their loss

Overall Aim of the Tool

Halt the Loss of Biodiversity

Lets hope we do not loose too much

Biodiversity

while we are developing the tools

Acknowledgements:

Research utilized in this talk was conducted whilst a doctoral student with the School of Plant Biology,University of Western Australia with support from the Perth Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority

Judy Fisherecologist@waanthropologist.com0407 984 091Fisher Research Pty LtdPO Box 169FloreatPerth Western Australia 6014