GISINProc2004 - page 23 of 238

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Sample group of global biological information systems; and limitations and information gaps in online IAS information systems.

Report prepared for the Experts Meeting Towards the Implementation of a Global Invasive Species

Information Network (GISIN), 6-8 April, 2004. Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

There are global information systems,

biodiversity systems, and comprehensive

clearing house mechanisms that serve

information on almost everything you could

possibly imagine. A very small subset,

representing approximately one tenth of the

databases from the list of 80 general

biodiversity databases, includes systems

such as AlgaeBase, Ascomycetes, Scale

Insects of the World, Hexacorallians,

taxonomic and bibliographic databases.

There is a need to include this wealth of

information in the knowledge base for

invasive species management.

National and regional clearing house

mechanisms such as the European

Community Clearing House Mechanism and

the Regional Biological Invasions Center

are already starting to make connections on

their own. These and other online sources

of IAS information represent the loci we can

start to build on, learn from, and facilitate.

Limitations and Information Gaps

The lack of expertise is a prominent

information gap. Invasive species managers

and policy-makers are in need of support

and expertise in identifying IAS species,

locating them in their region, and assessing

their impact(s). Expertise databases and

ranking systems for invasive species

assessment can fill these gaps.

Mechanisms and Methods

There is a great need for proven prediction

and prevention mechanisms, management

and eradication methods, and models.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

represent a bleeding edge technology right

now, especially in invasion prediction.

Managers and policy-makers need to know

not just that a species is invasive (for

example by a one-word designation in a

biodiversity database), but how invasive the

species is, how quickly does the species

invade and by what mechanism(s)? Can we

develop a ranking system – an international

ranking and classification system for

invasive species? Or at the very least, can

we develop national ranking systems and

share our experience with other nations?

Perhaps a ranking system of one nation

could be employed by a neighboring nation

with similar ecosystems or experiencing

similar threats from IAS. These systems will

help nations channel funding and resources

to manage high risk species or protect

ecosystems that are most threatened.

Infrastructure, policy and regulations

Some discussion that occurred in the online

community mentioned that there are some

regions and nations that have wildlife

regulations and laws that actually interfere

with IAS management. How can we develop

regulations that address IAS and

consequently support the development of

Global Terrestrial Observing

World Biodiversity

Information Network (REMIB)

Global Register of Migratory

Species (GROMS)

World Biodiversity

Global Resource

Information Database (GRID)

Database of World Algae

Global Information System for Lichenized & Non-lichenized

of the World (ScaleNET)

Biosystematic Database of World Diptera

Ecological Database of the World's Insect

World Taxonomist

Limitations / Information Gaps

Expertise (identify, locate, assess,

Proven prediction, prevention,

management, eradication methods

Invasion information (rank?)

Terrestrial Faunal IAS