introduction to the training course Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 2 why the economics of invasives? issues associated with biological invasions have traditionally been seen as responsibility of biologists yet invasive species are fundamentally an economic problem in terms of their causes, effects and remedies most invasions can be linked to the intended or unintended consequences of economic activities the major (although not only) reason that invasives are considered a problem by human beings is because they ultimately impact on economic systems and undermine human wellbeing is now widely recognised that economics is to do with much more than just understanding the costs of invasives - also concerns causes, links between human behaviour and natural processes, and finding solutions Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 3 why the course? despite growing recognition by the scientific community of the need for economics, the application of economic approaches and tools to invasives remains a recent innovation most literature deals with the economic costs of invasions, and with case studies carried out in North America and Europe although is now widely acknowledged that economic analysis and the use of economic instruments are key to dealing with the problems associated with biological invasions, there remains little guidance as to how economic approaches and tools should be applied in practice invasive species have many unique and unusual characteristics which set them apart from other environmental and land use issues, meaning that conventional economics models dont always apply Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 4 objectives of the course to solicit expert input and review of GISP economic framework and tools for analysing and addressing invasive species to build capacity and awareness among economists and scientists to identify, understand, and manage economic aspects of invasive species Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 5 the project Building Capacity in Africa for Economic Analysis of the Threats Posed by Invasive Alien Species development of training materials delivery of training course implemented by IUCN and CABI under GISP funded by the World Bank- Netherlands Partnership Programme Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 6 the toolkit provides a clear, user-friendly guide to the application of economic approaches and tools to invasive species employs a modular approach, works through iterative steps to identify, understand, address and manage economic aspects of invasive species targeted primarily at economists, can also guide scientists who are working on invasive species management Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 7 the workbook provides case studies of the economic impact of invasive alien species in Africa: Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) - Uganda Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) - Central African Republic & South Africa Larger grain borer (Prostephanus truncatus) - Benin & Ghana Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) - South Africa Triffid weed (Chromolaena odorata) - South Africa Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 8 what this course covers about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-related costs & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actions to address invasives Module 6 Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 9 what this course covers about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-related costs & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actions to address invasives Module 6 by the end of this module, the participant will have gained an understanding of the current situation of invasive species regionally and globally and be aware of the need for economic perspectives Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 10 what this course covers by the end of this module, the participant will have acquired tools for identifying and tracing through the economic causes of invasions, and their impacts on human wellbeing about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-related costs & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actions to address invasives Module 6 Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 11 what this course covers about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-related costs & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actions to address invasives Module 6 by the end of this module, the participant will have been presented with information about the biological attributes of invasives and the ways in which they impact upon ecosystems, as well as being aware of the ways in which we can try to prevent or manage biological invasions Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 12 what this course covers about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-related costs & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actions to address invasives Module 6 by the end of this module, the participant will understand the different types of economic costs and benefits associated with invasives, and be able to categorise them according to a total economic value framework Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 13 what this course covers about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-related costs & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actions to address invasives Module 6 by the end of this module, the participant will have gained a broad familiarity with the use and limits of ecosystem valuation, be able to identify the most appropriate technique to use in a given situation, and have a general understanding of the steps and data that are required to apply different valuation tools Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 14 what this course covers about invasive species Module 1 understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 2 impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Module 3 defining invasive-related costs & benefits Module 4 valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 informing actions to address invasives Module 6 by the end of this module, the participant will be more aware of how and when invasives issues need to be incorporated into economic decision-support information and indicators, and have a better understanding of the types of economic and financial instruments that can be used in support of the control of invasive species Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 15 agenda Introduction, aims, objectives, participants expectations Module 1: about invasive species Module 2: understanding the economic causes of invasions Module 3: impacts of invasive species and ways to address them Present back and discuss field trip/worked example Module 6: informing actions to address invasives Wrap-up and closing MondayTuesdayWednesday 1.5 h 30 m 1 h Module 4: defining invasive-related costs & benefits Module 5: valuing ecosystem impacts Module 5 (contd.): Field trip/ worked example on valuation Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 16 rules of the game sessions are intended to be as interactive as possible the participants in this course are all experienced planners, researchers and analysts: everybody has valuable knowledge and expertise to share participants are encouraged to comment, ask questions, share experiences, and to provide their own suggestions and insights Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 17 Economic Analysis of Invasive Species 18 thank you