Biosecurity, Natural Disasters and Sustainability: New Management Paradigms for Invasive Species

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1 Biosecurity, Natural Disasters and Sustainability: New Management Paradigms for Invasive Species Anthony Ricciardi Redpath Museum & McGill School of Environment McGill University

2 Propositions 1. Modern invasions are a form of global change. 2. They should be comprehensively included in an expanded definition of biosecurity. 3. They should be subject to similar preventative management as natural disasters. 4. They are a sustainability issue.

3 Propositions 1. Modern invasions are a form of global change. 2. They should be comprehensively included in an expanded definition of biosecurity. 3. They should be subject to similar preventative management as natural disasters. 4. They are a sustainability issue.

4 Global transportation systems Globaia.org

5 Propositions 1. Modern invasions are a form of global change. 2. They should be comprehensively included in an expanded definition of biosecurity. 3. They should be subject to similar preventative management as natural disasters. 4. They are a sustainability issue.

6 Biosecurity a comprehensive definition: Risk management that defends against biological threats to the economy, the environment and human health. Meyerson & Reaser (2002)

7 Without international monitoring and eradication systems, planes and boats will continue to ferry invasive species around the planet, threatening economic and environmental security - Worldwatch Institute (2005) State of the World: Redefining Global Security.

8 New Zealand Biosecurity Act unifies all pest management legislation into a single comprehensive law; - creates a central authority to deal with biological threats to agriculture, forestry, and biodiversity.

9 Invasions alter ecosystem function

10 Invasions erode biodiversity (% of modern extinctions caused by invasions) Global animal extinctions: IUCN Red List: Bellard et al (62%); Clavero & Garcia-Berthou 2005 (54%) Global fish extinctions: AMNH database: Harrison & Stiassny 2004 Global mammal extinctions: AMNH database; McPhee & Flemming 2004 (48%) IUCN Red List: Bellard et al (69%) Global bird extinctions: Birdlife International 2000 (50%) Bellard et al (60%) Global reptile extinctions: Bellard et al % 48% 48 69% 50 60% 57%

11 Invasions can degrade ecosystem services > 6 million bats in N. America killed by White Nose Syndrome Science (2011) 332: 41-42

12 Impact of Varroa mites on honeybees parasites native to southeast Asia found in Brazil in 1972, western Europe in 1982, N. America 1987, U.K. 1992, N.Z. 2000, Hawaii 2007 destroyed most wild honeybee colonies in the U.S. Mites on honeybee pupa

13 An emerging biosecurity threat wheat stem rust fungus Puccinia gramini strain Ug99 Native to East Africa Dispersed by spores, destroys entire wheat fields Considered a threat to global food security

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15 Risk of disaster due to invasion: Dreissenid mussel activities forced a nuclear reactor at Oswego, N.Y. to shut down 3 times in Fall 2007 James A. Fitzpatrick nuclear plant Cladophora

16 Propositions 1. Modern invasions are a form of global change. 2. They should be comprehensively included in an expanded definition of biosecurity. 3. They should be subject to similar preventative management as natural disasters. 4. They are a sustainability issue.

17 Definition of Natural Disaster A rapid impact of the natural environment upon the socio-economic system. (Alexander 1993)

18 Definition of Natural Disaster A rapid impact of the natural environment upon the socio-economic system. (Alexander 1993) An event, concentrated in space and time, that threatens society as a result of failed precautions that have previously been accepted as adequate. (Turner 1976)

19 Environmental stressors in a management context Scientific understanding High Natural disasters e.g. hurricanes Invasions Acid rain DDT Eutrophication Heavy metals Low GMOs Low Ricciardi et al. (2011) BioScience Feasibility of control High

20 Environmental stressors in a management context Predictability High Acid rain DDT Eutrophication Heavy metals Invasions Natural disasters e.g. hurricanes GMOs Low Low Ricciardi et al. (2011) BioScience Feasibility of control High

21 Similarities between invasions and natural disasters 1. Their causes are well understood, but their occurrence is uncontrollable (on large spatial scales). they are self replicating (unlike pollutants) usually detected after they have already begun to incur damage characterized by weakest link dynamics

22 Example: Spiny waterfleas can establish populations from only a few colonists difficult to detect at low numbers e.g. Bythotrephes in an Ontario lake (Harp L.) was first detected at 1/m 3 i.e. when lakewide population = 9 million! spread by human individuals e.g. in bait buckets, on fishing/boating equipment)

23 Probability of establishment Magnitude Propagule pressure thresholds # individuals introduced Successful invaders Failed invaders Colautti (2005) Introduction attempts log 10 individuals introduced

24 Similarities between invasions and natural disasters 2. Their occurrence and impacts are difficult to predict, because they: i) are highly context-dependent, and ii) involve non-linear phenomena (e.g. thresholds, cascades, synergies).

25 Log Frequency Cumulative frequency (event/yr) Similarities between invasions and natural disasters 3. Their impacts are characterized by an inverse magnitude-frequency relationship. Earthquakes (seismicity) Log Impact magnitude Magnitude (Mw)

26 Frequency of invasions causing population extinction events of various sizes Log number of invasions Y = 33.6 X 0.97 (219 invasions & 643 extinctions) Log extinction event size Ricciardi et al. (2011) BioScience

27 Frequency of invasions causing population extinction events of various sizes Log number of invasions Y = 33.6 X 0.97 (219 invasions & 643 extinctions) Log extinction event size Ricciardi et al. (2011) BioScience

28 Comparative rankings of disasters (adapted from Sapir & Lechat 1986) Predictability: Drought > Floods > Hurricanes > Invasions > Earthquakes Onset time (slow sudden): Drought > Floods > Invasions > Hurricanes > Earthquakes Scope & area of damage: Invasions > Drought > Hurricanes > Floods > Earthquakes Long-term impact: Invasions > Drought > Floods > Earthquakes > Hurricanes

29 Major differences between invasions & other natural disasters In general, invasions Have less predictable & more persistent impacts have greater potential to interact with other stressors have greater scope for ecological & economic damage BUT: are perceived to pose less risk

30 Unlike natural disasters, it is not well recognized that invasions carry enormous economic costs. Pimentel s global estimate: Per capita cost in 6 nations: $240 billion USD/yr Assuming similar costs worldwide: $1.4 trillion USD/yr i.e. ~5% of the global GNP ($31 trillion USD/yr) Pimentel et al. 2001, Agric. Ecosys. Env.

31 Unlike natural disasters, it is not well recognized that invasions carry enormous economic costs. Pimentel s global estimate: Per capita cost in 6 nations: $240 billion USD/yr Assuming similar costs worldwide: $1.4 trillion USD/yr i.e. ~5% of the global GNP ($31 trillion USD/yr) Pimentel et al. 2001, Agric. Ecosys. Env. In contrast: The combined direct economic costs of climate-related natural disasters (in 2008) = $200 billion U.N. International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (

32 Management implications of this concept 1. Provides strong justification for focusing on prevention, rather than remediation [cf. earthquakes & building codes]. 2. Invasions require disaster preparedness, rapid response strategies, and recovery plans. 3. Weakest link dynamics: we need to manage key pathways and the behaviour of individuals.

33 Higher education is needed to train professionals to balance the ecological, economic, and social dimensions of the IAS problem. A review of undergraduate/graduate curricula at 94 Canadian universities/colleges found that degree and diploma programs focusing on IAS issues are lacking.

34 Propositions 1. Modern invasions are a form of global change. 2. They should be comprehensively included in an expanded definition of biosecurity. 3. They should be subject to similar preventative management as natural disasters. 4. They are a sustainability issue.

35 Baltic Sea Baltic Sea Alien Species Database Cumulative number of invaders Rates of discovery of invaders in aquatic systems Great Lakes Ricciardi (2006); GLANSIS (2012) San Francisco Bay Carlton & Cohen (1998) River Thames Jackson & Grey (2012) Time (year)

36 Three major problems for ecosystem management 1. More invasions = higher probability of ecological disruption.

37 Number of high-impact species Number of high-impact invaders versus total number of invaders in aquatic systems 30 R 2 =0.85, p= Total number of invaders Slope = 0.10 ± 0.02 (95% C.L.) Ricciardi & Kipp (2008)

38 Cumulative number of species Number of invaders discovered in the Great Lakes Heterosporis Cercopagis Round goby Bythotrephes BKD Glugea Myriophyllum Muskie pox VHS SVC Quagga Zebra mussel Ruffe Whirling disease Furnculosis Sea lamprey Brown trout Common carp Rainbow smelt

39 Three major problems for ecosystem management 1. More invasions = higher probability of ecological disruption. 2. Invaders that are initially innocuous may become disruptive later.

40 Three major problems for ecosystem management 1. More invasions = higher probability of ecological disruption. 2. Invaders that are initially innocuous may become disruptive later. 3. Invaders can interact with each other and with other stressors, creating synergistic impacts.

41 Botulism outbreaks in waterfowl in the North American Great Lakes Invasive species (mussels and fish) transfer botulism toxin to waterfowl Round goby Waterfowl Dreissenid mussels Clostridium botulinum

42 Expected Number of Synergistic Disruptions Predicted consequence of an uncontrolled invasion rate Number of Invaders

43 Expected Number of Synergistic Disruptions Predicted consequence of an uncontrolled invasion rate Number of Invaders

44 Expected Number of Synergistic Disruptions Predicted consequence of an uncontrolled invasion rate Number of Invaders

45 Take-home messages The public needs to understand that invasions a form of global change and a sustainability challenge.

46 Take-home messages The public needs to understand that invasions a form of global change and a sustainability challenge. Invasions warrant precautionary approaches and preparedness similar to those applied to natural disasters.

47 Take-home messages The public needs to understand that invasions a form of global change and a sustainability challenge. Invasions warrant precautionary approaches and preparedness similar to those applied to natural disasters. Even small incremental reductions in invasion rates can yield significant benefits.