Resident warned after sharing photos of mystery plants popping up around town: ‘It’s everywhere’ – Yahoo

Report on the Ecological and Economic Impact of Invasive Alien Species: The Case of Lantana strigocamara

Introduction: Identification of an Invasive Threat

An inquiry on a public forum regarding the identification of a flowering bush led to its classification as Lantana strigocamara. This species, native to Central and South America, is recognized globally as a significant environmental threat. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) includes it on its list of “100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species,” highlighting the severity of its impact on non-native ecosystems.

Ecological Impact and Alignment with SDG 15: Life on Land

The proliferation of invasive alien species (IAS) like Lantana strigocamara poses a direct challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land), which aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss.

• Disruption of Native Ecosystems: When introduced to a new habitat, Lantana is free from the natural predators and diseases that control its population in its native range. This allows it to outcompete indigenous flora for essential resources such as sunlight, water, and space.
• Biodiversity Decline: By establishing a monopoly on resources, the species contributes to a significant decline in local biodiversity. This loss of plant diversity negatively affects the entire food web, impacting pollinators, herbivores, and the predators that depend on them, thereby undermining SDG Target 15.5 (protect biodiversity and natural habitats).
• Threat to Ecosystem Services: The degradation of biodiversity leads to a reduction in crucial ecosystem services that are vital for human well-being, including clean air, water purification, and soil health. The management and eradication of such species are central to SDG Target 15.8 (prevent the introduction and reduce the impact of invasive alien species).

Socio-Economic Consequences and Links to SDGs 2 & 8

The environmental damage caused by invasive species translates into substantial economic costs, affecting progress towards SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• Impact on Agriculture and Food Security (SDG 2): Lantana is known to invade agricultural lands and pastures. Its aggressive growth can overtake grazing areas essential for livestock. Furthermore, the plant is toxic to livestock, posing a direct threat to food production systems and jeopardizing efforts to achieve sustainable agriculture as outlined in SDG Target 2.4.
• Economic Damage (SDG 8): The global economic damage caused by invasive species is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Long-term research indicates costs exceeding a trillion dollars over 50 years. These costs, which include losses in agriculture and forestry as well as expenses for control and eradication, hinder sustainable economic growth.

Recommendations for Sustainable Action and Community Engagement

Addressing the threat of invasive species requires concerted action at both the policy and community levels, aligning with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

1. Promote Native Species: Encourage the use of native plant species in public and private landscaping. Native plants are adapted to the local climate, require fewer resources like water, and provide essential habitat and food for local wildlife, contributing to sustainable communities (SDG 11).
2. Increase Public Awareness: Educate communities on the identification of invasive species and the risks they pose. As demonstrated by online forums, community reporting is a valuable tool for early detection and management.
3. Adopt Sustainable Practices: Choosing native plants over potentially invasive ornamental ones is a form of responsible consumption that supports local biodiversity and reduces ecological harm, in line with the principles of SDG 12.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article focuses on the negative impacts of an invasive alien species (lantana) on terrestrial ecosystems. It explicitly discusses how invasive species outcompete native species, leading to a “decline in biodiversity” and a “decline in ecosystem services,” which are core concerns of SDG 15.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article connects the spread of invasive species to agriculture and food production. It states that lantana “can spread into agricultural areas, where it can take over vital grazing areas, and is toxic to livestock.” This directly threatens food security and the sustainability of agricultural systems, which are central to SDG 2.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article highlights the significant economic damage caused by invasive species. It mentions estimates of “hundreds of billions of dollars worth of economic damage annually” and over “a trillion dollars” in 50 years. These massive economic losses impact national and local economies, affecting economic growth and stability, which is a key focus of SDG 8.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article implicitly addresses this goal by promoting sustainable consumer choices. The problem arises from a plant being moved from its native habitat, often for ornamental purposes. The article’s conclusion, which advocates to “plant native species” because they are “adapted for the local ecosystem” and “beneficial to other wildlife,” encourages a more responsible and sustainable pattern of consumption in gardening and landscaping.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 15.8: Prevent the introduction and reduce the impact of invasive alien species

   This target is the most explicit match. The entire article is a case study on the invasive plant lantana, which is on the IUCN’s list of “100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species.” The text details its ability to spread and outcompete native flora, directly addressing the need to control and reduce the impact of such species.

2. Target 15.5: Halt biodiversity loss

   The article explains that when an invasive species establishes itself, it can “outcompete native species… and establish a monopoly on vital resources.” This process leads to a “decline in biodiversity,” which directly aligns with the goal of this target to halt the loss of biodiversity.

3. Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems

   The article’s description of lantana taking over “vital grazing areas” and being “toxic to livestock” illustrates a direct threat to the resilience and sustainability of agricultural systems. Controlling such invasive species is essential to achieving this target.

4. Target 12.8: Promote awareness for sustainable lifestyles

   The article itself, along with the Reddit community `r/plantID` it references, serves as a tool for raising public awareness. By informing readers about the dangers of planting invasive species and promoting the benefits of native plants, it contributes to ensuring people have the “relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators:

• Economic Cost of Invasive Species

  The article provides direct quantitative indicators of the economic impact. It cites figures such as “hundreds of billions of dollars worth of economic damage annually” and “a little more than a trillion dollars” over 50 years. These figures can be used to measure the economic dimension of the problem and track the success of mitigation efforts.

• Prevalence and Spread of Invasive Species

  The article implies this indicator through the comments from Redditors. Mentions of lantana being “everywhere in California” and being “phased out” in Australia after widespread growth serve as anecdotal evidence of the species’ geographic spread and the efforts to control it. Formal tracking of the geographic distribution of priority invasive species would be a direct indicator.

• Impact on Agriculture

  The article implies indicators related to agricultural productivity. The mention of lantana taking over “vital grazing areas” and being “toxic to livestock” suggests that progress could be measured by tracking metrics such as the percentage of agricultural land lost to invasive species or livestock mortality rates attributed to toxic invasive plants.

• Adoption of National Legislation and Policies

  While not explicitly stated, the mention of lantana being on the “International Union for Conservation of Nature’s list of 100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species” points to an official recognition of the problem. This relates to Indicator 15.8.1 (Proportion of countries adopting relevant national legislation and adequately resourcing the prevention or control of invasive alien species).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: yahoo.com