Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species- Cook Islands

Study Extent

The geographic focus of this checklist is the Cook Islands

Sampling

This annotated checklist is focused on introduced (alien) and invasive species that are known to occur in the Cook Islands. The International Union for Conservation of Nature, (IUCN) describes an Introduced/ Alien and Invasive alien species as follows:
An Introduced/ Alien species means a species, subspecies, or lower taxon occurring outside of its natural range (past or present) and dispersal potential (i.e. outside the range it occupies naturally or could not occupy without direct or indirect introduction or care by humans) and includes any part, gametes or propagule of such species that might survive and subsequently reproduce. An Invasive alien species means an alien species which becomes established in natural or semi-natural ecosystems or habitat, is an agent of change, and threatens native biological diversity.

Quality Control

The draft checklist (inventory) is compiled by collating data and information through a comprehensive literature overview. Additional steps implemented to control the quality of the data are described below. Taxonomic harmonisation and normalisation using the GBIF taxonomic backbone In order to harmonise all species names across countries, species lists are subjected to a normalisation process in which taxon rank and taxonomic status are identified and assigned. Spelling and other errors in assigning species authorship are also corrected. Data validation The checklist (inventory) compiler team completes a review and validates all the annotations especially those on provenance and ‘invasiveness’ status of the species based on evidence of impact. Data verification The checklist (inventory) is submitted to a network of country editors for a review of both accuracy of records, annotations and identification of any significant gaps in the data. Data verification is an iterative process and the activity is declared completed on agreement of all relevant country editors.

Method steps

1. Data collation and categorization Data filtering and categorization/ classification Taxonomic harmonization and normalization Data validation Data verification

Animalia, Bacteria, Chromista, Fungi, Plantae, Protozoa, Viruses

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom
2. Bacteria
   rank: kingdom
3. Chromista
   rank: kingdom
4. Fungi
   rank: kingdom
5. Plantae
   rank: kingdom
6. Protozoa
   rank: kingdom
7. Viruses
   rank: kingdom

Cook Islands