IES - Everglades Restoration Initiatives

Invasive Exotic Species Strategic Action Framework

The Everglades is recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the world's most unique natural and cultural resources and is also the focus of the world's largest ecosystem restoration effort. Florida and the Everglades ecosystem is especially vulnerable to the introduction, invasion, and establishment of non-native species because of its subtropical climate, the existence of major ports of entry, and the large-scale pet, aquarium, and ornamental plant industries active in the region. Combating invasive exotic species is integral to successful ecosystem restoration and to the sustainability of south Florida.

PREPARE & PRIORITIZE

Objective 1A: Prepare for and prioritize prevention efforts.

Priority Strategy 1A1: Identify pathways and prioritize potential threats and invasive exotic species.
Strategy 1A2: Engage stakeholders and the public to support prevention efforts.

PREVENT

Objective 1B: Prevent entry of invasive exotic species.

Priority Strategy 1B1: Enhance and improve the pathway inspection/screening process.
Strategy 1B2: Develop new and utilize existing voluntary and regulatory tools.
Strategy 1B3: Improve pathway awareness and engage the public in prevention efforts.

PREPARE & MONITOR

Objective 2A: Prepare and monitor to enhance early detection.

Priority Strategy 2A1: Implement best management practices to prevent the inadvertent spread of invasive exotic species.
Strategy 2A2: Utilize existing and develop needed regional monitoring/reporting networks to increase likelihood of detection.
Priority Strategy 2A3: Employ science and technology for development of early detection tools, e.g., surveys, traps, inspections.
Strategy 2A4: Engage the public and provide invasive exotic species reporting mechanisms.
Priority Strategy 2A5: Establish rapid assessment and response programs/processes/cooperatives/tool that allow for nimble reactions aimed at eradication.

ASSESS

Objective 2B: Ensure rapid assessment of newly detected species.

Priority Strategy 2B1: Rapidly assess the status and potential threat of newly detected invasive exotic species populations and develop a response/no response plan.

RESPOND

Objective 2C: Rapidly respond to identified threats.

Priority Strategy 2C1: Initiate rapid response based upon the plan of action developed during the assessment phase.

CONTROL

Objective 3A: Utilize existing control tools to contain invasive exotic species.

Strategy 3A1: Implement best management practices to prevent the inadvertent spread of invasive exotic species.
Priority Strategy 3A2: Implement control efforts at containment boundaries and known pathways.
Strategy 3A3: Retreat or reassess areas to ensure containment of invasive exotic species.
Strategy 3A4: Develop an EDRR approach outside containment areas that eliminates incipient populations.
Strategy 3A5: Enforce existing laws regarding transporting and releasing invasive exotic species to prevent spread.

IMPROVE

Objective 3B: Improve effectiveness of containment efforts on invasive exotic species populations.

Priority Strategy 3B1: Invest in science-based containment methods.
Strategy 3B2: Assess effectiveness of containment efforts and adapt to improve success.
Strategy 3B3: Standardize containment efforts through enhanced coordination.
Strategy 3B4: Improve public awareness of the need for ongoing containment efforts.

Click or tap any of the goals to expand them.

COMBAT

Objective 4A: Reduce population and extent of established invasive exotic species through Integrated Pest Management approaches.

Strategy 4A1: Implement best management practices to prevent the inadvertent spread of invasive exotic species.
Strategy 4A2: Implement control efforts at containment boundaries and known pathways.

RESTORE & RECOVER

Objective 4B: Reduce impacts of invasive exotic species through restoration of native habitats and species.

Strategy 4B1:

Support efforts to increase the total spatial extent of natural areas and restore natural hydrology.

Strategy 4B2: Coordinate invasive exotic species management with restoration activities to prevent degradation of habitat.
Strategy 4B3: Reintroduce populations of extirpated and rare species, and augment existing populations where appropriate, to improve native plant and animal species abundance and diversity.
Strategy 5B4: Recover ecological and natural system functions and ecosystem services.

IMPROVE

Objective 4C: Improve effectiveness of long-term management efforts on invasive exotic species populations.

Strategy 4C1: Assess effectiveness of long-term management efforts and adapt to improve success.
Strategy 4C2: Conduct inventory and monitoring to improve understanding of population growth of invasive exotic species in order to develop better control methods.
Priority Strategy 4C3: Develop and improve tools to assist in the long-term control of invasive exotic species.
Priority Strategy 4C4: Integrate federal, state, and local agency invasive exotic species control programs.

Figure: The Invasion Curve and Goals. Adapted from Invasive Plants and Animals Policy Framework, Victoria Australia. Remastered for online use by the Office of Everglades Restoration Initiatives, 2015.

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