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The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defines invasive alien species (IAS) as those non-

native species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or other species¹. Other groups have defined

IAS more broadly, considering an invasive species as a species that is, “non-native (alien) to the

ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or

environmental harm or harm to human health”². Under the broader definition, a global estimate

of environmental and socioeconomic damage from IAS (based on an extrapolation from

estimates in six major geopolitical units) amounts to 5% of the global economy, or $US1.4

trillion annually.³ Because of their global significance, IAS are being discussed in nearly every

international trade and environmental policy arena in order to develop cooperative solutions to

the economic and environmental problems they cause. Sustainable biodiversity, global

warming, threatened and endangered species preservation, watershed management, living

modified organisms, global plant, animal, and human health—the role of invasive species must

be addressed in all of these discussions.

Non-native species were historically transported into new habitats by natural disturbance events

such as hurricanes. While disturbed environments remain a fundamental feature that determine

whether a non-native species can become established in a new place, the contemporary

pathways for the initial introduction of IAS are predominantly unnatural. Today, dominant

pathways for the introduction of IAS include the exchange of ships’ ballast water, the

“hitchhiking” of non-native organisms in cargo or as pathogens, and the intentional release of

foreign plants and animals for agriculture and aquaculture. Preventing the transboundary

transport and introduction of non-native organisms via such trade vectors has become the

responsibility of all States, yet the capacity to manage domestic and transboundary IAS

problems varies substantially among States.

One of the limitations facing many geopolitical units addressing IAS problems is the easy

access to information on IAS prevention and management relevant to their region. Dozens of

databases exist that address aspects of IAS taxonomy and management, but often the

information contained within them lacks regional relevance, or is represented in such a fashion

that users cannot find the information they need readily in their web searches. Most such

databases serve limited audiences and are not interoperable or coordinated with other related

information systems. Traditional print-based approaches to sharing information on IAS are even

less efficient, more costly, reach only a limited audience, and are not amenable to updating

without significant cost. A coordinated approach to linking existing IAS databases around the

globe has been suggested as an essential means to confront the growing global problems IAS

create

The Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN) will address the need recognized by

many resource managers, researchers, trade specialists and the broader public for a central

portal system that will link all existing IAS databases, while retaining the independence of the

Convention on Biological Diversity, (Article 8(h)). 2003. Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

USA Executive Order 13112, as cited in: National Invasive Species Council. 2001. Meeting the Invasive Species

Challenge. Available online at http://www.invasivespecies.gov/council/nmp.shtml (Accessed 26 August 2004.)

Pimentel, D., editor. 2002. Biological invasions: economic and environmental costs of alien plant, animal, and

microbe species. Boca Raton/London/New York/Washington DC; CRC Press, 369 pp.

Ricciardi, A., W. M. Steiner, R. N. Mack, and D. Simberloff. 2000. Toward a global information system for invasive

species. BioScience 50:239-240. Available online at http://sgnis.org/publicat/papers/riccstei.pdf (Accessed 26 August

2004.)