Current Practices and Future Opportunities for Policy on Climate Change and Invasive Species
Summary
We often think about the combined impacts of invasive species and climate change on ecosystems and economies. But, we must also consider how environmental policy influences our ability to address these combined challenges. Pyke et al. (2008) present three case studies of ways that invasions and climate change might interact and how policy must adapt to address these interactions. In one case study, Pyke et al. identify how the expansion of biofuels could lead to new invasive plant introductions. For example, invasive giant reed (Arundo donax) is planted for biofuel despite its negative impacts on riparian ecosystems. Although it has potential use as a biofuel, this is a high impact/high priority species to keep out of the Northeast. Policies to prevent new introductions of known invasives could follow the example of the Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI has language that specifically aims to promote the use of native species and reduce the introduction of invasive species for reforestation and restoration projects. In a second case study, Arctic sea ice has been dropping precipitously, leading to open water during summer months and creating the long sought-after Northwest passage. This shipping route is leading to more direct imports of goods from Asia into the Northeast, resulting in elevated risk of accidental introduction of forest pests in packaging and aquatic pests in ballast. Pyke et al. note that existing policies designed to prevent imports need to be continually updated to incorporate the changing routes opened by climate change.
Take Home Points
To create proactive management of invasive species in the context of climate change, we need invasive species policy to incorporate climate change and climate change policy to incorporate invasion risk
Management Implications
Dialogue within networks of managers, scientists, and policymakers are needed to ensure that climate change mitigation does not exacerbate the invasive species problem
Similarly, invasive species policies need to explicitly address climate change to enable proactive management
Keywords
Novel Introduction Pathways; Impact Study; Review