User:Sltsangg/Climate change and invasive species

Approaches

 * 1) Monitoring and early detection: samples can be taken in specific areas to see if any new species are present. These samples are then run through a database in order to see if the species are invasive. This can be done using genetic tools such as environmental DNA (eDNA). These eDNA-samples, taken in ecosystems, are then run through a database that contains bioinformatics of species DNA. When the database matches a sequence from the sample's DNA, information about what species that are or have been present in the studied area can be obtained. If the species are confirmed to be invasive, the managers can then take precaution in form of a rapid response eradication method. The eDNA method is majorly used in marine environments, but there are ongoing studies about how to use it in terrestrial environments as well.
 * 2) Rapid response: several methods of eradication are used to prevent distribution and irreversible introduction of invasive species into new areas and habitats. There are several types of rapid response:
 * 3) * Mechanical/manual control: often done through human labor, such as hand pulling, mowing, cutting, mulching, flooding, digging and burning of invasive species. Burning often takes place mid spring, to prevent further damage to the area's ecosystem and harm to the managers that administer the fires. Manual control methods can kill or reduce the populations of non-native species. Mechanical controls are sometimes effective and generally doesn't engender public criticism. Instead, it can often bring awareness and public interest and support for controlling invasive species.
 * 4) * Chemical control: chemicals such as pesticides (e.g. DDT) and herbicides can be used to eradicate invasive species. Though it might be effective to eliminate target species, it often creates health hazards for both non-target species and humans. It is therefore generally a problematic method when, for example, rare species are present in the area.
 * 5) * Biological control: a method where organisms are used to control invasive species. One common strategy is to introduce natural enemy species of invasive species in an area, with the aim to establish the enemy which will drive the invasive species's population to a contracted range. One major complication with the biological method is that introduction of enemy species, which itself in a sense is an invasion as well, sometimes can affect non-target species negatively as well. There has been criticism regarding this method, for example when species in conservation areas have been affected or even driven to extinction by biocontrol species.
 * 6) Restoration of ecosystems: restoration of ecosystems after eradication of invasive species can build resilience against future introductions. To some degree, ecological niche models predict contraction of some specie's ranges. If the models are somewhat accurate, this creates opportunities for managers to alter the composition of native species to build resilience against future invasions.
 * 7) Forecasting: climate models can somewhat be used to project future range shifts of invasive species. Since the future climate itself can't be determined, though, these models are often very limited. However, the models can still be used as indicators of general range shifts by managers to plan management strategies.Copied from Climate change and invasive species
 * 8) Prevention: is generally the more environmentally desirable approach, but is difficult to practice due to the issues with separating invasive from non-invasive species . Border control and quarantine measures are normally the first prevention mechanisms . Preventative measures include exchanging ballast water in the middle of the ocean, which is the main tool accessible for ships to limit the introduction of invasive species . Another method of prevention is public education to increase the understanding of individual actions on furthering the spread of invasive species and promote awareness about strategies to reduce the introduction and spread of invasive species . Invasion risk assessment can also aid in preventative management since it allows for early identification . Invasion risk is done by the identification of a potentially invasive species through comparison of common traits
 * 9) Genetic control: new technology has presented a potential solution for invasive species management: genetic control. A form of genetic pest management has been developed that targets the mating behavior of pests to introduce harm-reducing genetically engineered DNA into wild populations . Though not widely implemented yet for invasive species specifically, there is an expanding interest in using genetic pest management for invasive species control. Triploidy also exists to manage invasive species through the production of sterile males to biologically control insect pests . Similar to triploidy, another form of genetic control is Trojan Y which serves as a sex-marker identification and aims to bias the sex ratio of populations, typically fish, towards males in order to drive the population to extinction . Trojan Y specifically uses sex-reversed females containing two Y chromosomes, known as Trojan Y, to reduce the success of breeding in the population . A counterpart to the Trojan Y technique, the Trojan Female technique aims to release "Trojan females" carrying mitochondrial DNA mutations that lead to a reduction in female, rather than male, fertility . Gene drive is also another technique to suppress pest populations.