Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Sustainable Development |
| Subtitle of host publication | Asia-Pacific Perspectives |
| Editors | Pak Sum Low |
| Place of Publication | Cambridge |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| Chapter | 30 |
| Pages | 393-406 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Edition | 1 |
| ISBN (electronic) | 9780511977961 |
| ISBN (print) | 9780521897174 |
| Publication status | Published - 23 Dec 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Keywords
- Rainforest, Vulnerability, Climate Change
Sustainable Development Goals
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Sustainable Development: Asia-Pacific Perspectives. ed. / Pak Sum Low. 1. ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021. p. 393-406.
Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceeding › Contribution to book/anthology › Research › peer review
}
TY - CHAP
T1 - Where to invade next: Inaction on biological invasions threatens sustainability in a small island developing state of the tropical South Pacific
AU - Isabell Lenz, Marie-
AU - Galvin, Stephen
AU - Keppel, Gunnar
AU - Gopaul, Sunil
AU - Kowasch, Matthias
AU - Dyer, Michael J.
AU - Watling, Dick
AU - Lodhar, Sherri Y. F.
AU - Hanson, Geon C.
AU - Erasmi, Stefan
AU - Boehmer, Hans Juergen
PY - 2021/12/23
Y1 - 2021/12/23
N2 - Oceanic island ecosystems contain a disproportionate number of Earth’s terrestrial species, many of them endemic or indigenous to only one or a few islands. Consequently, the importance of islands in the quest to protect terrestrial biodiversity has been increasingly recognized and included in global environmental agreements. Nevertheless, oceanic island ecosystems remain extremely vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance and its impacts, particularly in terms of the uncontrolled spread of introduced species, so-called biological invasions, leading to substantial biodiversity loss and fundamental changes in ecosystem functioning and structure. The South Pacific region is a hotspot of biodiversity but also has the world’s highest concentration of invasive alien plant species. Although the issue of biological invasions has been increasingly acknowledged by local governments and international agreements, invasive alien species are often not monitored properly on Pacific islands. Furthermore, knowledge of the potential impact of invasive alien species regularly does not result in on-the-ground action, adding to the growing extinction threat. This inaction persists despite international and national efforts for sustainable use and nature conservation of terrestrial biodiversity in the region’s Small Island Developing States. We illustrate this problem with two relatively recent biological invaders in Fiji: the ivory cane palm (Pinanga coronata) and the green iguana (Iguana iguana). We use these examples to examine the potential consequences of continuing inaction, despite awareness in relevant government departments, for native forest biodiversity and human livelihoods. Through an examination of the institutional background, we discuss steps towards good governance and sustainable development of terrestrial biodiversity in the Small Island Developing States of the tropical South Pacific, where on-the-ground action to control, eradicate, and prevent invasive alien species is desperately needed.
AB - Oceanic island ecosystems contain a disproportionate number of Earth’s terrestrial species, many of them endemic or indigenous to only one or a few islands. Consequently, the importance of islands in the quest to protect terrestrial biodiversity has been increasingly recognized and included in global environmental agreements. Nevertheless, oceanic island ecosystems remain extremely vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance and its impacts, particularly in terms of the uncontrolled spread of introduced species, so-called biological invasions, leading to substantial biodiversity loss and fundamental changes in ecosystem functioning and structure. The South Pacific region is a hotspot of biodiversity but also has the world’s highest concentration of invasive alien plant species. Although the issue of biological invasions has been increasingly acknowledged by local governments and international agreements, invasive alien species are often not monitored properly on Pacific islands. Furthermore, knowledge of the potential impact of invasive alien species regularly does not result in on-the-ground action, adding to the growing extinction threat. This inaction persists despite international and national efforts for sustainable use and nature conservation of terrestrial biodiversity in the region’s Small Island Developing States. We illustrate this problem with two relatively recent biological invaders in Fiji: the ivory cane palm (Pinanga coronata) and the green iguana (Iguana iguana). We use these examples to examine the potential consequences of continuing inaction, despite awareness in relevant government departments, for native forest biodiversity and human livelihoods. Through an examination of the institutional background, we discuss steps towards good governance and sustainable development of terrestrial biodiversity in the Small Island Developing States of the tropical South Pacific, where on-the-ground action to control, eradicate, and prevent invasive alien species is desperately needed.
KW - Klimawandel
KW - Vulnerabilität
KW - Regenwald
KW - Tropen
KW - Rainforest
KW - Vulnerability
KW - Climate Change
U2 - 10.1017/9780511977961.035
DO - 10.1017/9780511977961.035
M3 - Contribution to book/anthology
SN - 9780521897174
SP - 393
EP - 406
BT - Sustainable Development
A2 - Low, Pak Sum
PB - Cambridge University Press
CY - Cambridge
ER -