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Invasive Alien Species and Information Courtesy of the JAMAICAN SOCIETY Invasive alien plants are also known for creating allergic reactions (eg. black wattle). IAS in Jamaica also threaten our society by affecting native species that serve as cultural icons (eg. Thiara snail and the Jamaican Bussu Festival). Socio-economics within local communities have also been affected by IAS. Jobs that depend on the sustainability of existing Jamaican biodiversity may be at risk. Black Rat (Ratttus rattus) Populations were likely accidentally introduced on ships during the 17th century. Photo: Museum Victoria Rats pose serious health risks to humans and other mammals. In Jamaica rats are well known for transmitting Eosinophillic Meningitis and Leptospirosis. In 2006 there was a 100% increase in dogs infected with Leptospirosis and the Ministry of Health reported 326 laboratory confirmed cases of Leptospirosis among humans. Institute of Jamaica Jamaica Clearing-House Mechanism University of the West Indies Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust Jamaica Gleaner The Nature Conservancy Convention on Biological Diversity Williamson M., 1996. Biological In- vasions. New York: Springer. CAB International United States Geological Survey Museum Victoria CONTACT INFORMATION Jamaica Clearing House Mechanism Natural History Division Institute of Jamaica 10-16 East Street Kingston Jamaica Telephone: (876) 922-0620-6 Fax: (876) 922-1147 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.jamaicachm.org.jm Impacts of Invasive Alien Species Apart from changing the course of Jamaica’s natural history, IAS have influenced our society. Public health has been jeopardized by growing populations of exotic species. These organisms may transmit pathogens and diseases to humans as well as domesticated animals. Many domesticated animals can also become quite invasive and affect human health (eg. dogs and pigs). FOLLOWING Biological Invasions and JAMAICAN ECOSYSTEM ECONOMY and SOCIETY Institute of Jamaica Natural History Division ClearingHouse Mechanism The Effects of Invasive Alien Species and BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS Biological invasions result from the movement of a species outside of its native range consequent to intentional or accidental human action (Williamson, 1996). When such species pose a threat to natural biodiversity and/or human societies they are referred to as invasive alien species (IAS). The establishment of IAS is a complex but common phenomenon in many parts of the world. In fact, IAS are considered the second greatest threat posed to biodiversity globally. However, in evolutionarily isolated ecosystems, such as islands, IAS possibly are THE greatest threat to our ecosystems. In developing countries such as Jamaica, the livelihood of its people are extremely vulnerable to the disturbance of the environment on which they depend. JAMAICAN ECOSYSTEM Jamaica is known for its high endemicity and distribution of native flora and fauna. These ecosystems are very sensitive to the sudden ecological changes brought about by invasive species. IAS affect ecosystems by-: Altering the physio-chemical features of a habitat (e.g. sucker-mouth catfish) Introducing pathogens and diseases (e.g. rats and mice) Increasing inter-specific competition (e.g. Australian Redclaw) Increasing predation (e.g. Wolf Cichlid) There have been several instances observed of the gradual displacement of native flora and fauna around the island due to the introduction of alien species. In Jamaica some 84 IAS are recognized and all have caused some change to the habitats or surrounding human communities they invade. The impacts of IAS in Jamaica span four main areas: Invasive Alien Species and JAMAICAN ECONOMY It is estimated that damage caused by invasive species worldwide total US$1.4 trillion (5% of global economy). As with many other countries, IAS have affected Jamaica’s economy in two main ways: Invasive species; often with little or no economic benefit, have displaced flora and fauna with commercial and recreational significance. Such an effect has been specially noted in large and small scale agriculture and aquaculture in Jamaica (eg. coffee berry borer, water hyacinth). There have been growing campaigns on the education, protection, eradication and management of IAS in Jamaica. These efforts are often very costly, diverting budgets of government, NGO’s and industrial agencies to curtailing the effects of alien species in our natural environment (eg. green mussel, ginger lily). Mock Orange Australian Redclaw (Cherax quadricarinatus) (Pittosporum undulatum) Introduced to Jamaica in 1995 for the purposes of fisheries improvement. Introduced to the Blue Mountains in 1883 as an ornamental plant. Native to Australia Native to Australia ECOLOGY ECONOMICS HEALTH Photo: Elizabeth Morrison HERITAGE/CULTURE Escaped the confines of ponds in St. Elizabeth and first sited in the Black River. Mock orange has an approximate density of 71 stems per acre. Resilience and ability of Cherax to grow in slightly saline waters gives population a competitive advantage over native Macrobrachium spp. which are gradually being displaced from the Black River. Manual labour, equipment and ranger supervision cost approximately JA$430,000 to remove a mere 20 acres of Pittosporum undulatum from the Blue Mountains. Understanding how these organisms influence our environment and society is the first step to mitigating the dangers caused by biological invasions. Photo: Sean Townsend