Annie Simpson

Invasive species information networks: collaboration at multiple scales for prevention, early detection, and rapid response to invasive alien species

Abstract Accurate analysis of present distributions and effective modeling of future distributions of invasive alien species (IAS) are both highly dependent on the availability and accessibility of occurrence data and natural history information about the species. Invasive alien species monitoring and detection networks (such as the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England and the Invasive Plant Atlas of the MidSouth) generate occurrence data at local and regional levels within the United States, which are shared through the US National Institute of Invasive Species Science. The Inter-American Biodiversity Information Networks Invasives Information Network (I3N), facilitates cooperation on sharing invasive species occurrence data throughout the Western Hemisphere. The I3N and other national and regional networks expose their data globally via the Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN). International and interdisciplinary cooperation on data sharing strengthens cooperation on strategies and responses to invasions. However, limitations to effective collaboration among invasive species networks leading to successful early detection and rapid response to invasive species include: lack of interoperability; data accessibility; funding; and technical expertise. This paper proposes various solutions to these obstacles at different geographic levels and briefly describes success stories from the invasive species information networks mentioned above. Using biological informatics to facilitate global information sharing is especially critical in invasive species science, as research has shown that one of the best indicators of the invasiveness of a species is whether it has been invasive elsewhere. Data must also be shared across disciplines because natural history information (e.g. diet, predators, habitat requirements, etc.) about a species in its native range is vital for effective prevention, detection, and rapid response to an invasion. Finally, it has been our experience that sharing information, including invasive species dispersal mechanisms and rates, impacts, and prevention and control strategies, enables resource managers and decision-makers to mount a more effective response to biological invasions

Essential elements of online information networks on invasive alien species

In order to be effective, information must be placed in the proper context and organized in a manner that is logical and (preferably) standardized. Recently, invasive alien species (IAS) scientists have begun to create online networks to share their information concerning IAS prevention and control. At a special networking session at the Beijing International Symposium on Biological Invasions, an online Eastern Asia–North American IAS Information Network (EA–NA Network) was proposed. To prepare for the development of this network, and to provide models for other regional collaborations, we compare four examples of global, regional, and national online IAS information networks: the Global Invasive Species Information Network, the Invasives Information Network of the Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network, the Chinese Species Information System, and the Invasive Species Information Node of the US National Biological Information Infrastructure. We conclude that IAS networks require a common goal, dedicated leaders, effective communication, and broad endorsement, in order to obtain sustainable, long-term funding and long-term stability. They need to start small, use the experience of other networks, partner with others, and showcase benefits. Global integration and synergy among invasive species networks will succeed with contributions from both the top-down and the bottom-up.

The Global Invasive Species Information Network: What's in It for You?

—probably the most widely cited scientific study on invasive species in recent years—calculated the annual costof invasive species in the United Statesalone at

A standardized response to biological invasions.

138 billion per year (Pimentelet al. 2000). The total annual cost of in-vasive species to human societies world-wide can therefore be estimated to bein the hundreds of billions of dollars,including the costs of control, detri-mental effects on human health, andlosses in agricultural production andecosystem services.This enormous sumfar exceeds the combined annual cost ofall natural disasters (Munich Re Group2004), making the problem of invasivespecies in both agricultural and naturalecosystems a high-priority issue. Butthere is hope for counteracting the in-vasive species challenge, and much ofthat hope stems from new strategies be-ing developed for managing informa-tion about invasive species and theireffects.

Seven recommendations to make your invasive alien species data more useful

The Policy Forum “Will threat of biological invasions unite the European Union?” (P. E. Hulme et al. , 3 April, p. [40][1]) emphasized the major regulatory and political challenges faced by European institutions. However, they are not alone in facing the tremendous threat of biological invasions

Federated or cached searches: Providing expected performance from multiple invasive species databases

Science-based strategies to tackle biological invasions depend on recent, accurate, well-documented, standardised and openly accessible information on alien species. Currently and historically, biodiversity data are scattered in numerous disconnected data silos that lack interoperability. The situation is no different for alien species data, and this obstructs efficient retrieval, combination, and use of these kinds of information for research and policy-making. Standardization and interoperability are particularly important as many alien species related research and policy activities require pooling data. We describe seven ways that data on alien species can be made more accessible and useful: 1) Create data management plans; 2) Increase interoperability of information sources; 3) Document data through metadata; 4) Format data using existing standards; 5) Adopt controlled vocabularies; 6) Increase data availability; and 7) Ensure long-term data preservation. We identify four properties specific and integral to alien species data (species status, introduction pathway, degree of establishment, and impact mechanism) that are either missing from existing data standards or lack a recommended controlled vocabulary. Improved access to accurate, real-time and historical data will repay the long-term investment in data management infrastructure, by providing more accurate, timely and realistic analyses. If we improve core biodiversity data standards by developing their relevance to alien species, it will allow the automation of common activities regarding data processing in support of environmental policy. Furthermore, we call for considerable effort to maintain, update, standardise, archive, and aggregate datasets, to ensure proper valorisation of alien species data and information before they become obsolete or lost.

Biodiversity Information Serving Our Nation (BISON) now with more than 1/3 billion species occurrences

Invasive species are a universal global problem, but the information to identify them, manage them, and prevent invasions is stored around the globe in a variety of formats. The Global Invasive Species Information Network is a consortium of organizations working toward providing seamless access to these disparate databases via the Internet. A distributed network of databases can be created using the Internet and a standard web service protocol. There are two options to provide this integration. First, federated searches are being proposed to allow users to search “deep” web documents such as databases for invasive species. A second method is to create a cache of data from the databases for searching. We compare these two methods, and show that federated searches will not provide the performance and flexibility required from users and a central cache of the datum are required to improve performance.

Vision of a Cyberinfrastructure for Nonnative, Invasive Species Management

Biodiversity Information Serving Our Nation (BISON) is a web-based resource (https:// bison.usgs.gov) for finding and accessing occurrence records of species found in the United States (US), its Territories and marine Exclusive Economic Zones. BISON serves as a data aggregator that compiles and standardizes species occurrence data from multiple data providers, and now contains more than 1/3 billion species occurrences. BISON uses the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) to standardize species names in searches. It is also the US hub of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and obtains much of its data from that resource. BISON also enables access to numerous federal datasets such as the US Forest Services Forest Inventory and Analysis and the US Geological Surveys Bird Banding Lab. BISON accepts all US species occurrence datasets that are Darwin Core-compatible, but especially seeks to mobilize pollinator and invasive species occurrence datasets. Data from BISON can also be accessed via various map services, and the US National Parks Services Species Checklists application is currently available in a development environment as an example of use of BISON web services. ‡ §