The spread of invasive alien species (IAS) is now recognised as having a major negative impact on global biodiversity and economic well-being. IAS come from all taxonomic groups and occur in virtually every ecosystem type in any region of the world. Impacts from IAS on biodiversity can be direct, indirect, and cumulative, including changes in ecosystem function and structure as well as at the level of species. IAS directly or indirectly impact on livelihoods and poverty alleviation, through affecting ecosystem services or sustainable use of biodiversity or through impinging on cultural and heritage values. Continuing globalisation, with increasing trade, travel, and transport of goods across borders, has facilitated the spread of such species. 

While the problem is global, the nature and severity of the impacts on society, economic life, health occur at a national and local level and it is therefore critically important for individual countries to take steps to mitigate ad reduce these effects.  The CBD has therefore called on its Parties to ‘prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats, or species’ (Article 8(h)). One of the focal areas of the CBD is ‘threats to biodiversity’, with Goal 6 being to ‘control threats from invasive species’ (Decision VIII/27). The targets under this goal are:

Target 6.1: Pathways for major potential alien invasive species controlled
Target 6.2: Management plans in place for major alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species

National scale indicators are essential for allowing countries to track progress towards these targets.  The Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) together with the DST-NRF Centre for Invasion Biology are developing a number of global invasive species indicators that can also be applied to a national level.  Such indicators include the number (and identity) of invasive alien species and the number of species with (operational) management plans.  Together, these will provide a much clearer picture of what and where invasive species are occurring, how they are spreading and what actions can be taken to limit their negative impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity.