INVASIVE ALIENS SPECIES

DETAILS AND BACKGROUND

In recent years, the increasing global trade, travel, and transport had rapidly increased
the rate of introduction and diversity of alien species. Invasive alien species (IAS)
includes exotic or non-native micro- and macro-species introduced, accidentally or
deliberately, to a place that is not part of their natural habitat or distributional range, and
have adverse ecological and economic impacts (Bruton and Merron, 1985; De Silva
1989).
Exotic species, especially those that were introduced to an area with no natural
predators or competitors, will flourish in their new habitats. Once established, introduced
species can become aggressive and dangerously invasive. Studies have demonstrated
that IAS could alter the evolution of native species by competitive exclusion, niche
displacement, predation, and ultimate extinction (MacKinnon, 2002).
DURATION
DEGREE/ EXTENT
In the Philippines, data on the impact of IAS on native biota are scarce, and limited to a
number of anecdotal reports indicate that native species may be adversely affected
through competition, predation, habitat alteration, and parasitism.
Economic impacts
Agriculture, forestry and fishing are of huge importance to the economies of developing
countries. Invasive species affect the productivity of these systems, and limit the ability
of producers to access export markets. This hinders sustainable economic growth and
development. The impacts of invasive species include:
Value and quality of land degraded
Lower crop productivity
High cost of controlling pests, weeds and diseases
Routes to domestic and global markets blocked
Livestock forced into marginal, sub-optimal grazing lands
Social impacts
Invasive species are a major threat to the livelihoods of the people who live in the areas
they colonize. Through disrupting ecosystems, invasive plants, insects and diseases
impair many of the things humans need to sustain a good quality of life – including food
and shelter, health, security and social interaction. The impacts of invasive species
include:
Livelihood options narrowed
Food security decreased
Recreational and social opportunities limited
Risks to human and animal health
Increased social challenges
Environmental impacts
Biodiversity is essential for the functioning of the ecosystems that provide vital
resources such as food, water, fuel, building material and traditional medicines for
millions of people. Invasive species alter and degrade the environment, and have a
negative effect on both native species and the people who live and work there. The
impacts of invasive species include:
Reduced biodiversity
Decreased availability and quality of key natural resources
Water shortages
Increased frequency of wildfires and flooding
Pollution caused by overuse of chemicals to control infestations
UPDATES
A Barangay in Quezon City released about 1,000 frogs into an estero as part of its anti-
dengue campaign. Despite his good intentions, the barangay captain may have created
a bigger problem in his area.
The barangay released were not bullfrogs but cane toads. “Based on the video, these
are not frogs, but are invasive Central American Cane Toads of the species Rhinella
marina previously taxonomically known as Bufo marinus,”
However, in the case of the Quezon City barangay, the toads function indirectly as
predators eating mosquitos as their prey. As populations of invasive species are
introduced to an area, one of the sad outcomes they cause, as they attempt to survive,
reproduce, and adapt, is that they compete for food with co-occurring species in the
area,”
There is one caveat though, cane toads are known to be invasive species thriving
across the Philippines. They are “notoriously harmful, pests and invasive species,”
Primary people involve
Bureau of Plant industry
-is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Agriculture
responsible for serving and supporting the Philippine plant industry sector.
The National Plant Quarantine Services Division (NPQSD) is a division under the
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). BPI, being a member of the International Plant
Protection Convention (IPPC) and other international organizations, serves as our
National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO).
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is an agency of the Philippine
government under the Department of Agriculture responsible for the development,
improvement, law enforcement, management and conservation of the Philippines'
fisheries and aquatic resources.
Local Government Units
Present the actions taken by the people involve or not involve in the issue.
The Plant Quarantine Service (PQS) legal authority to regulate quarantine pests is
provided in Presidential Decree No. 1433 known as Plant Quarantine Law of 1978. The
Law specifically regulates the entry of plant, plant products, and animals that may
harbor pests or cause harm to agricultural products.
In 1981, Presidential Proclamation 2146 was issued considering the introduction of
fauna (exotic animals) in public and private forest an environmentally critical project.
Thus, any undertaking, which included such activities, will require an Environmental
Compliance Certificate.
Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR) with the quarantine, control and monitoring of foreign aquatic
species. It states that: “No foreign finfish, mollusk, crustacean or aquatic plant shall be
introduced in Philippine waters without a sound ecological, biological and environmental
justification based on scientific studies and subject to biosafety standards as provided
by existing laws.
Identify the degree of wokeness (The 6 Degrees of Wokeness)
a reference

https://www.invasive-species.org/impacts/

https://www.rappler.com/science-nature/environment/238768-quezon-city-barangay-goofs-releasing-
cane-toads-estero