Control of alien species

Abstract

The introduction of alien species means the release, deliberately or accidentally, into the natural environment in a given territory, of a species which, has never been represented there. Non-native species have been introduced into new territories for a variety of reasons such as economic development, improvement of hunting and fishing, ornamentation, or maintenance of the cultures of migrated human communities. The damage done by harmful introductions far outweighs the benefit derived from them. The introduction and establishment of alien species in areas where they did not formerly occur, as an accidental or intended result of human activities have often been directly harmful to the native plants and animals of many parts of the world and to the welfare of mankind. The definition of alien species given in Chapter 1 is broad enough to include genetically modified organisms (GMOs), though this project will not address GMOs Chapter 2 deals with the ecological consideration in the introduction of alien species. It deals with single-species dynamics, two species interaction, communities, multiple stable states, biodiversity, succession and genetics. Analyses of fauna and flora imported in the period 1995-1997 are found in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 introduces international instruments such as Conventions, Treaties, Agreements and Soft laws regarding the control of alien species whereas the last chapter describes how the importation of alien species is controlled in Malta and suggests methods on how the introduction of non-native species can be regulated.