Question

Assuming that you are taking an active part in trying to eradicate the invasive species from your area, what information do you need to adequately understand and address pests and pathogens? (e.g. information on the ecology, spread and effects of important pest and pathogen; information on how to identify them; information on strategies for preventing their spread and harmful effects)

Answer 1

Invasive species are the non-native species that can affect the native organisms of a geographical area. The invasive species generally crowd out which can affect the native plant species by killing them which will damage the carbon storage and food chain ultimately resulting in habitat loss and ecological imbalance in the native area.

We need specific information to eradicate the invasive species which are-

First, we should be very clear about what is the difference between alien species and invasive species. Not all alien species are harmful to the ecology, so we should be very clear about both of the concepts. Then we should look for the ecological, environmental and geographical conditions which are being favorable for the invasive species to spread. We should take into account that is there have been any sudden changes in the factors like increasing temperature or change in the chemical composition of the soil? We should also look for the geographical pattern of the spreading. The geographical pathway of origin to the destination and gradual spreading of the invasive species should be closely monitored. We should also monitor how the invasive species affecting the native population, what is its target? Is it damaging the local species physically or chemically? Is it have a direct effect on the local species or it is affecting the natives in an indirect manner? We should take help from the nursery and research laboratories to know about the invading species. we should consider all the aspects in this case. We should gather all the information like what is the genetic composition of the invasive species, in which favorable conditions they grow, what is their breeding process, how they feed themselves, what are their life span and active stages of their life span etc. We should do deep research about the local ecology also like what is the physical and chemical composition of the soil, type of local weather, average precipitation, mean temperature, groundwater table, local geography like slope of the area, geographical distribution of forest cover, native human population, and their geographical distribution, animal species of the native area, etc and then we should accept a certain method to eradicate the invading species because we should always take care that the eradication processes should not affect the native population keeping the local geographical and ecological balance intact. We should also have a good knowledge of the prevention mechanisms and processes.