Abstract
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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baltimore Declaration (2004) Technical Workshop on the Implementation of a Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN). Retrieved from http://invasivespecies.nbii.gov/as/BaltimoreDeclaration.htm on 14 October 2004
Brasilia Declaration (2001) Prevention and Management of Invasive Alien Species Workshop: Forging Cooperation in South America. Portuguese/Spanish/English version retrieved from http://www.iabin-us.org/projects/i3n/background_documents_declaracaobrasilia.doc on 28 September 2004
China Species Information System (2004) Alien Invasive Species in China. Retrieved in English and Chinese from http://www.chinabiodiversity.com/shwdyx/ruq/ruq-index-en.htm on 21 September 2004
CONABIO (2004) I3N-Mexico (Programa Especies Invasoras de Mexico.) Retrieved in Spanish fromhttp://www.conabio.gob.mx/conocimiento/info_especies/especies_invasoras/doctos/especiesinvasoras.html on 20 September 2004
Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat (2001) A Global Strategy on Invasive Alien Species, prepared by the Global Invasive Species Programme. Retrieved from http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/sbstta/sbstta-06/information/sbstta-06-inf-09-en.pdf on 28 September 2004
Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat (2002) Sixth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and the Clearing-House Mechanism: Report of the Joint Convention on Biological Diversity/ Global Invasive Species Programme Informal Meeting on Formats, Protocols and Standards for Improved Exchange of Biodiversity-Related Information. Retrieved from http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/cop/cop-06/information/cop-06-inf-18-en.pdf on 25 April 2004
Copenhagen Declaration (2001) Managing Invasive Alien Species: Forging Collaboration in the Nordic-Baltic Region. Retrieved as an image file from http://www.zin.ru/projects/invasions/gaas/images/declar1.gif on 28 September 2004. Retrieved as html text, appearing as Appendix 2, from http://www.ocean.univ.gda.pl/baltder/polsiec/projskora.htm on 28 September 2004
CRIA (2004) I3N-Brasil (Rede de Informação Sobre Especies Invasoras de Brasil.) Retrieved in Portuguese from http://i3n.cria.org.br/ on 30 September 2004
Davis Declaration (2001) Workshop on Development of Regional Invasive Alien Species Information Hubs, Including Requisite Taxonomic Services, in North America and Southern Africa, 14–15 February 2001, Davis, California. Retrieved from http://ice.ucdavis.edu/Davis_Declaration/ on 28 September 2004
JL Edwards (2004) ArticleTitleResearch and societal benefits of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility BioScience 54 485–486 Occurrence Handle10.1641/0006-3568(2004)054[0486:RASBOT]2.0.CO;2
Grosse A (2004) I3N: IABIN Invasives Information Network, Presentation for Experts Meeting on the Global Invasive Species Information Network. Retrieved from http://www.ia bin-us.org/projects/i3n/i3n_documents/i3n_powerpoint_presentations/i3n_public_presentations.html on 01 October 2004
IMF (International Monetary Fund) (2003) World Economic Outlook Database. Retrieved from http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2003/01/data/ on 26 October 2004
INBIAR (2004) I3N-Argentina (Base de Datos sobre Invasiones Biológicas en Argentina.) Retrieved in Spanish from http://www.uns.edu.ar/inbiar/ on 01 October 2004
Institute of Jamaica (2004) I3N-Jamaica (IABIN Invasive Species Information Network Project, Jamaica.) Retrieved from http://www.jamaicachm.org.jm/Catalogue/Bibliography/DisplayType/QryBibliography.htm on 30 September 2004
Instituto Horus 2004 Levantamento de Espécies Exóticas Invasoras: Resultados preliminares (I3N-Brasil) Retrieved in Portuguese from http://www.institutohorus.org.br/trabalhosa_basedados.htm on 15 October 2004
Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN) Invasives Information Network (I3N) (2004a) Benefits obtained by I3N Countries. Retrieved from http://www.ia bin-us.org/projects/i3n/i3n_products_after_pilot/benefits_to_ countries.html on 27 October 2004
Kirstenbosch Declaration (2000) South Africa/United States of America Bi-National Commission’s Symposium on Best Management Practices for Preventing and Controlling Invasive Alien Species, 24 February 2000, Cape Town. Retrieved from http://www.invasivespecies.gov/new/kirstenbosch.htm on 28 September 2004
National Institute of Invasive Species Science (2004). Retrieved from http://www.niiss.org on 15 October 2004
National Invasive Species Council (2001) Meeting the Invasive Species Challenge. Retrieved from http://www.invasivespecies.gov/council/nmp.shtml on 26 August 2004
NBII (2004) Invasive Species Information Node. Retrieved from http://invasivespecies.nbii.gov/ on 08 July 2004
OTECBIO (2004) I3N-Guatemala (Especies Exóticas Invasoras de Guatemala.) Retrieved from http://www.geocities.com/otecbio_especies/ on 30 September 2004
D Pimentel (Eds) (2002) Biological invasions: economic and environmental costs of alien plant, animal, and microbe species CRC Press Boca Raton/London/New York/Washington DC 369
A Ricciardi WM Steiner RN Mack D Simberloff (2000) ArticleTitleToward a global information system for invasive species BioScience 50 239–240. Occurrence Handle10.1641/0006-3568(2000)050[0239:TAGISF]2.3.CO;2
Saarenmaa H (2004) The Global Biodiversity Information Facility and GISIN. In: Sellers E, Simpson A, Fisher JP, and Curd-Hetrick S (eds) Experts Meeting on Implementation of a Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN), Proceedings of a Workshop, 6–8 April, 2004, pp 66–71, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Retrieved from http://www.gisinetwork.org/Documents/ProceedingsPDF/GISIN%20Proceedings%202004.pdf on 31 May 2005
Sellers E (2004) Databasing Invasions: A Review in the Context of the Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN). Retrieved from http://www.gisinetwork.org/Documents/Da tabasing_Invasions_A_Review_ESellers(IIa).htm on 31 May 2005
Sellers E, Simpson A and Curd-Hetrick S (2004a) List of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Online Databases and Databases Containing IAS Information. Retrieved from http://www.gisinetwork.org/Documents/DraftIASDBs.htm on 31 May 2005
Sellers E, Simpson A, Fisher JP and Curd-Hetrick S (eds) (2004b) Experts Meeting on Implementation of a Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN), Proceedings of a Workshop, 6–8 April, 2004, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Retrieved from http://www.gisinetwork.org/Documents/ProceedingsPDF/GISIN%20Proceedings%202004.pdf on 31 May 2005
A Simpson (2004) ArticleTitleThe Global Invasive Species Information Network: what’s in it for you? BioScience 54 IssueID7 613–614 Occurrence Handle10.1641/0006-3568(2004)054[0613:TGISIN]2.0.CO;2
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Simpson, A., Sellers, E., Grosse, A. et al. Essential elements of online information networks on invasive alien species. Biol Invasions 8, 1579–1587 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-005-5850-1
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-005-5850-1