ASIA PACIFIC FOREST INVASIVE SPECIES NETWORK (APFISN) – All you want to know

FOREST INVASIVE SPECIES (FIS) – What are they ?

Forest invasive species (FIS) are plants, animals and microorganisms that are non-native to a specific forest ecosystem.

WHY FIS A THREAT ???

Their introduction imposes enormous costs in terms of ecological destruction, economic loss or detrimental social effects including hann to human health.

Over all losses associated in many countries are estimated to account for about 1 % of GDP.

For countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the economic and ecological losses due to FIS are estimated to be over US$ 200 billion annually

HOW FIS ARE INTRODUCED ???

Two Ways

1.Inadvertent introductions – primarily through international trade and tourism especially during import of goods and food items.

2.Intentional introductions – mainly for forestry, fuel wood and ornamental purposes.

WHY ASIA PACIFIC FOREST INVASIVE SPECIES NETWORK (APFISN) ???

The Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN) has been established as a response to the immense costs and dangers posed by invasive species to the Sustainable Management of forests in the Asia-Pacific region

WHAT IS APFSN ???

APFISN is a Cooperative Alliance of the 33 member countries in the Asia- Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) – a statutory body of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

WHAT DOES APFISN DO ???

The network focuses on inter-country cooperation that helps to detect, prevent, monitor, eradicate and/or control forest invasive species in the Asia-Pacific region.

Raises awareness of FIS throughout the Asia-Pacific region

Exchanges and shares information on FIS among member countries

Capacity building

A Few invasive Species under APFISN Recognition

1.Australian Pine

deciduous and fast growing tree

introduced worldwide for coastal landscaping

Results in negative impact on ecology, economy and human health. Ecological impact range from habitat alteration, reduction in native biodiversity, threat to endangered species, modification in soil hydrology, physical disturbances, allelopathic effects and alteration in successional patterns

2.Pappaya Mealy-bug :

Its a smallhemipteran, polyphagous insect which attacks more than 60 plant species. 

Honey dew produced by this bug results in the development of sooty mould that covers the leaves, fruits and stems, obstructing photosynthesis and gaseous exchange.

The bug has a strong association with ants by providing honeydew as food to ants and in return the ants help the spread of the bug

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