Invasive species - a Global Challenge
by Dr Mark Lonsdale Assistant Chief of CSIRO Entomology.
8pm Thursday 2nd March- ANU (details below)
One of CSIRO's weed and pest experts Dr Mark Lonsdale is the new Chair of a global project, the Global Invasive Species Programme, which is combating the threat of invasive pest species world wide.
"Invasive species such as weeds, foxes, rabbits and marine pests cost Australia billions of dollars each year. The cost worldwide is too high to calculate," says Dr Lonsdale. "In many countries invasive species impact on economic development, human health, native species and agriculture. In developing countries invasive species pose a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of billions of people."
Worldwide, invasive species have become one of the most significant drivers of environmental change but Mark believes their impact can be reduced. "Invasive species are an international problem which requires an international solution," says Dr Lonsdale. "By combining regional knowledge from around the globe the GISP aims to conserve biodiversity and sustain human livelihoods by minimising the spread and impact of invasive species." As the new Chair of GISP, Dr Lonsdale sees opportunities to tap into a growing pool of international knowledge which he believes will have benefits for Australia, such as techniques to control pests which have not yet arrived here. GISP was established in 1997 and is currently funded by the World Bank. It has created an international network of governments, research organisations and trade industries with the common goal of addressing the invasive species problem.
Dr Lonsdale's past work includes researching the impact of invasive weeds and their biocontrol, environmental risk assessments, and assessing the ecological implications of genetically modified organisms.
All welcome
Field Naturalists meeting: 8pm Thursday 2nd March: ANU Division of Botany and Zoology, Gould Building (Building 116), Daley Rd, Australian National University. (Map of ANU - http://campusmap.anu.edu.au/displaymap.asp?grid=ef54)
8pm Thursday 2nd March- ANU (details below)
One of CSIRO's weed and pest experts Dr Mark Lonsdale is the new Chair of a global project, the Global Invasive Species Programme, which is combating the threat of invasive pest species world wide.
"Invasive species such as weeds, foxes, rabbits and marine pests cost Australia billions of dollars each year. The cost worldwide is too high to calculate," says Dr Lonsdale. "In many countries invasive species impact on economic development, human health, native species and agriculture. In developing countries invasive species pose a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of billions of people."
Worldwide, invasive species have become one of the most significant drivers of environmental change but Mark believes their impact can be reduced. "Invasive species are an international problem which requires an international solution," says Dr Lonsdale. "By combining regional knowledge from around the globe the GISP aims to conserve biodiversity and sustain human livelihoods by minimising the spread and impact of invasive species." As the new Chair of GISP, Dr Lonsdale sees opportunities to tap into a growing pool of international knowledge which he believes will have benefits for Australia, such as techniques to control pests which have not yet arrived here. GISP was established in 1997 and is currently funded by the World Bank. It has created an international network of governments, research organisations and trade industries with the common goal of addressing the invasive species problem.
Dr Lonsdale's past work includes researching the impact of invasive weeds and their biocontrol, environmental risk assessments, and assessing the ecological implications of genetically modified organisms.
All welcome
Field Naturalists meeting: 8pm Thursday 2nd March: ANU Division of Botany and Zoology, Gould Building (Building 116), Daley Rd, Australian National University. (Map of ANU - http://campusmap.anu.edu.au/displaymap.asp?grid=ef54)
# posted by Chair QBN Landcare @ 8:33 am 
