Reduce the Introduction and Impact of Invasive Alien Species
Eliminate, minimize, reduce and or mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem services by identifying and managing pathways of the introduction of alien species, preventing the introduction and establishment of priority invasive alien species, reducing the rates of introduction and establishment of other known or potential invasive alien species by at least 50 per cent by 2030, and eradicating or controlling invasive alien species, especially in priority sites, such as islands.
Why is this target important?
Wherever you look, there is life. Whole communities of species have developed everywhere; they have learned to flourish in the local circumstances. These ecosystems, both large and small, are beneficial to all the inhabitants. It’s a balance that has been established over thousands or millions of years. If a species migrates from one system to another, it upsets the delicate balance. Migrant species can totally destroy ecosystems—like letting a fox into a chicken coup. When it happens, it takes an extremely long time for the ecosystem to stabilize. If ever.
This target is a challenging one because migration happens for so many reasons. These are just a few of them:
Accidentally: Worldwide trade has made it possible for species to migrate, especially on ships. Containers, wooden crates, and plants often harbor invasive species. Ecosystems are destabilized when these unknown visitors arrive. They often become predatory, destroying the balance.
Commercially: Non-native plants and animals are often intentionally introduced for agricultural, ornamental, or commercial purposes. It almost always leads to unintended spread. They can quickly become invasive and dominate new habitats.
Stupidly: Humans have often introduced foreign species to their advantage. An example is bringing cats for pest control. On many islands, cats have driven multiple bird, reptile, and small mammal species to extinction. We have also introduced fish into foreign ecosystems for recreational fishing. The result is almost never good.
Climate change: Changing temperatures force animals and plants out of the ecosystems they belong to. Looking for new habitable environments, they settle in new areas, unsettling the balance.
Target 6 asks us to reduce the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive alien species by at least 50 percent by 2030, and to eradicate or control invasive alien species, especially in priority sites, such as islands.