The GBIF Secretariat is to coordinate a global initiative to improve the information available to decision makers to help tackle the threat of invasive alien species.
Under an agreement with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), the GBIF Secretariat will be the primary focal point of the Global Invasive Alien Species Information Partnership (GIASIP), which brings together a number of organizations focussed on improving the interoperability of different information sources on this major driver of biodiversity loss.
The partnership aims to address barriers to achieving Target 9 of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, that “by 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritized, priority species are controlled or eradicated and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment”. Lack of reliable, readily-accessible information about invasive species is identified as a significant impediment to meeting this target.
Through the agreement, GBIF's role includes leading the implementation of the GIASIP information infrastructure and linking or integrating it with the GBIF data network.
For more information, contact the GBIF Secretariat.