Report prepared for the Experts Meeting Towards the Implementation of a Global Invasive Species
Information Network (GISIN), 6-8 April, 2004. Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Page 9
8/30/2004
Plenary Proceedings
Databasing Invasions: A Review
in the Context of the Global
Invasive Species Information
Network (GISIN)
Elizabeth Sellers, Information International
Associates Inc., P.O. Box 4219, Oak Ridge, TN
37831-4219. (703) 648-4385,
esellersATusgs.gov¹
Abstract
Due to significant and costly impacts on
agriculture, economy and biodiversity caused by
the accidental or intentional introduction and
establishment of invasive alien species (IAS),
they are recognized as a significant global threat
in need of urgent attention. Consequently, the
international community has been urged to
address the IAS issue as a national and
international priority. The burgeoning status of
global trade and travel guarantees that all
nations will not only experience the direct impact
of IAS, but will find them an ominous threat at
some point in the near future (if not already).
Among the nations of the Americas,
Europe, Asia and Africa, IAS databases,
biodiversity clearinghouse mechanisms,
networks and international agreements have
grown in number and complexity. Regardless of
whether they are called Web sites, online
databases, clearinghouse mechanisms, hubs, or
portals, if they provide IAS-related information
through the globally accessible Internet and
continue to develop network linkages with other
complimentary online information systems, they
lend valuable support to the continued
development of a Global Invasive Species
Information Network (GISIN). Databases
represent a potentially valuable yet often
inaccessible or unobtainable resource to nations
that lack their own. Nations that are developing
IAS databases should share their information
resources in a cooperative effort towards
combating the common threat posed by IAS.
1
Current address: National Biological Information
Infrastructure, USGS / 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive,
Mailstop 302 / Reston, Virginia 20192.,
However, the act of sharing information
presents several problems in itself. Standards,
formats, methods and protocols must be
adhered to by dissimilar data products if they are
to share or exchange data in an efficient and
effective manner. Recent cooperative
development efforts among members of the
international community and the Convention on
Biological Diversity have resulted in the
definition of international standards for
biodiversity data exchange. Members of the
international community have called for the
development of a Global Invasive Species
Information Network. The success and
persistence of this network will depend on the
support and participation of capable
stakeholders, international standardization and
cooperation in data exchange, and continued
maintenance and development of the
component information sources.
A white paper distributed at the Experts
Meeting on Implementation of a Global Invasive
Species Information Network described and
synthesized invasive species information
management activities occurring around the
globe during the past decade. It was prepared in
the context of the Convention on Biological
Diversity’s recommendation that the Global
Invasive Species Programme (GISP) coordinate
the development of the GISIN. The results
described in the white paper were summarized
in a presentation given at the GISIN experts
meeting.
Keywords: invasive alien species, invasive species,
invasives, alien species, exotic species, introduced
species, non-native, nonnative, database, information
system, Web, Internet, online, global invasive species
information network, GISIN, IAS, GISP.
Introduction
Why perform such a review? Why create a
list of databases? We’re all here to discuss
the creation of the Global Invasive Species
Information Network. A network consists of
loci and links or connections between those
loci. Before you can create anything
resembling a network you must identify its
possible components – find them, and
assess them for their content, connectivity,
and applicability to the type of network you
are trying to create. Comprehensive
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