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Report of the APFISN Workshop on Tools for Ecological and Economic

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Report of the APFISN Workshop on Tools for Ecological and Economic Report of the APFISN Workshop on Tools for Ecological and Economic impact assessment of Invasive Alien Species in Forest Ecosystems 4-5 November 2013 The APFISN Workshop started at 10 am on the 4th November 2013 at the Energy Resources Centre, Rotorua, New Zealand. The opening remarks were made by Patrick Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO, Gary Man, USDA and Kenichi Shono, Forest Resources Officer, FAO followed by quick introduction of the participants. The first session was on Import Risk Assessment Techniques. An overview of the US approach was presented by Gary Man and the New Zealand approach was presented by Melanie Newfield. The presentations focused on multilevel tracking system to assess the import risk. It highlighted the need for real time information flow across countries so as to enable risk assessment associated with imports. The presentations were followed by discussions on how to adapt the risk assessment techniques for other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The second session focused on IPPC system e-learning. An overview of the IPPC system was presented by Shiroma Satyapala, New Zealand followed by comments and contributions from the participants. There was an exercise in applying IPPC techniques which generated good discussion and an array of new information from participants which was shared between them paving way for new solutions and management options. The third session was on Evaluation of emerging risks. An overview of economic impact assessment techniques was presented by Chris Baddeley and an overview of ecological impacts was presented by Eckehard Brockerhoff. The presentations highlighted that there are more studies on economic impact as compared to those on ecological impacts. Of those fewer studies on ecological impacts most are from the USA. Most of the ecological impact studies focused on species impacts (92%) while there are only few studies on genetic (2%) and ecosystem (6%) impacts. It was also reported that many of the ecosystem impacts are poorly known. The New Zealand’s approach to evaluating emerging risks to biosecurity was presented by Melanie Newfield. The participants were divided into four groups and an exercise in using emerging risks techniques were led by Melanie Newfield. The session had a report back period which showed that the participants had been exposed to a variety of new methods which would go a long way in planning invasive species management in APFISN member countries. The country reports from the participating countries were presented in the fourth session. The countries which presented the country reports include Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Fiji, Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Maldives and Indonesia. It was reported that a total of 957 non native species have been identified in Vietnam which include plants, insects and fungi. Mimosa pigra has been identified as the most serious emerging problem. Sri Lanka has updated its invasive plant list and the current scenario is that Miconia, Lantana and Prosopis are emerging as new problems. No new invasive species assessments have been conducted in Malaysia, however, there exists a check list of fungi and fact sheets on important invasive species. Mimosa, Lantana and Cleome are the most serious emerging problems in Bangladesh. Fiji has a large number of reported invasives but there is need for empirical impact assessments. The Fiji invasive species task force has been set up and there exists a database on woody plant invasive species list. Fiji requested for technical support in managing invasive species, a consultant for species identification and capacity building activities. Philippines reported the interesting case of Mahogany becoming a major invasive species and the efforts to contribute to the ERDB database. Cambodia reported their activities regarding the ongoing JEF project wherein Mimosa pigra, Mimosa diplotricha and Chromoleana odorata are being considered for rapid management. A pest and disease survey is ongoing and the database preparation has started. The work at Myanmar using the water hyacinth for preparation of biochar through hydrothermal carbonization has been explained. Mimosa diplotricha was reported as the most pressing invasive problem in Myanmar. Maldives reported that a comprehensive assessment is yet to be done for invasives in the country and requested capacity building support from APFISN to accomplish this. Acacia nilotica and Meremia peltata was reported as the most important invasives in Indonesia. The country reported its need for best practices in forestry to ward off invasives and sharing of success stories in invasion management. The concluding session was addressed by Gary Man who highlighted the need for closer work with small group of countries on similar problems. He advised the participants to come up with suggestions on this. The former Coordinator, Dr KV Sankaran thanked the participants for the support he received from the member countries. Dr TV Sajeev announced that a google group of member countries will be established for faster communication and invited the participants to contribute to the APFISN Newsletter-Invasives. The workshop came to a close at 3.30 pm on 5th November 2013. Participant List Name Country 1 Pham Quang Thu Vietnam 2 NDR Weerawardane Srilanka 3 Lee Su See Malaysia 4 Wai Wai Than Myanmar 5 Hussain Faizal Maldives 6 Titiek Setyawati Indonesia 7 Pratwi Indonesia 8 Garsetiasih Indonesia 9 KV Sankaran India 10 TV Sajeev India 11 Samreth Vanna Cambodia 12 Portia G Lapitan Philippines 13 Chris Baddeley New Zealand 14 Dhan B Dhittal Bhutan 15 Binesh Dayal Fiji 16 Gary Man USA 17 M Al Amin Bangladesh 18 Shiroma Satyapala New Zealand 19 Melanie Newfield New Zealand 20 Eckehard Brockerhoff New Zealand 21 Kenichi Shono FAO .
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