Invasive alien species: Invasive alien species are a major
threat to native biodiversity, natural ecosystems and ecosystem
services. They are particularly devastating to island
ecosystems, which harbour much of the world's threatened
biodiversity. Amongst these isolated populations, extinction
rates are especially high. The invasive species problem is
growing in severity and geographic extent as volumes of
international trade and travel increase. In spite of these
effects, national and international leaders remain under-
informed regarding the scope and gravity of the invasive species
problem and options to fight back. Useful initiatives, which
contribute to better management practices and a reduced
incidence of biological invasion, are being taken by communities
all over the world. Invasive alien species are now a major focus
of international conservation concern and the subject of
cooperative international efforts, such as the Global Invasive
Species Programme (GISP), the IUCN SSC Invasive Species
Specialist