A workshop on invasive plant species and classical biological control strategies was held recently at the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), College Laguna.
Dr. Leila C. America, Assistant Director of the Forestry and Environment Research Division, PCAARRD, together with other representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) non-government organizations (NGOs), and the academe participated in the said workshop.
The lecture activity covered 11 modules divided into two sessions. Each module was followed by a workshop.
The first session provided general information on invasive alien species and included topics such as the impacts of invasive plants, their management, prevention, and control.
The second session, on the other hand, dealt with biocontrol of invasive plant species and included topics such as host range trials and selection of plant species for the said purpose, risks of biocontrol, foreign exploration, as well as policies and legislation.
Experts explain that an invasive species can be any kind of living organism that is not native to an ecosystem and which causes harm.
In the absence of any natural predators or control, an invasive species, such as a plant, an animal, or an organism, when introduced into an ecosystem, can breed and spread quickly, taking over an area.
Invasive species pose direct threats such as preying on native species, outcompeting native species for food or other resources, causing or carrying disease, preventing native species from reproducing or killing their young.
These invasive species also cause indirect threats such as changing the food web in an ecosystem: altering the abundance or diversity of species and altering ecosystems conditions such as soil chemistry and intensity of wildfires.
Dr. Anne Wilt of CABI served as workshop lecturer.
Established in 1910 CABI, which was formerly known as CAB International, is owned by 48 member countries. It undertakes a variety of projects worldwide addressing agricultural and environmental issues. The main areas it focuses on are commodities, invasive species and scientific communication.
Finalization of the National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan based on the learning from the workshop is underway.