Measures
The issue of invasive alien species is too often overlooked until it is too late. Through management actions and integrated approaches, both short-term and long-term effective containment of the growing number of invasive species is possible, as well as reducing their spread and preventing and mitigating their negative impacts.
There are many decision-making frameworks and approaches to support management at all stages of the biological invasion process – settlement, establishment, and spread. Prevention is by far the best and most cost-effective option, but in certain circumstances, eradication, control, and management are also effective.
Preventive measures, such as biosecurity at borders and strictly enforced import controls, have been successful in many cases. Control, along with early detection and rapid response, has proven effective in reducing the rate of alien species settlement and is particularly critical for marine and connected aquatic systems. Eradication has been successful and cost-effective for some species, especially when populations are small and slowly spreading in isolated ecosystems. Due to the longevity of seeds dormant in the soil, eradicating invasive alien plants is more challenging than for animals. Successful eradication programs also depend on the support and cooperation of stakeholders and local communities. When eradication is not feasible for various reasons, invasive species can often be limited and controlled, particularly in terrestrial and closed aquatic systems. Successful management can be physical, chemical or biological, and the suitability and effectiveness of each option depend on the specifics of the particular case.
Ecosystem restoration can enhance the results of management measures and increase ecosystem resilience to future invasive alien species. Managing biological invasions is more successful when stakeholders and local communities are involved. Managing invasive species can also help mitigate the negative effects of other drivers of change (climate change, pollution, land-use change, direct exploitation of species).
