September 20th, 2024 – Nassau, Bahamas

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) recently coordinated an Invasive Alien Species Workshop in collaboration with other Bahamian natural resource managers and partners to address the growing threat of invasive alien plant species (IAS) in The Bahamas.

Representatives from the BNT, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Forestry Department, the Department of Public Works, the Public Parks & Beaches Authority, the Department of Environmental Planning & Protection (DEPP), and the University of The Bahamas (UB) gathered at the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation’s (BAIC) headquarters to exchange knowledge, strategies, and practical solutions to combat this impending issue.

Invasive alien species are plants and animals that are not native, but rather introduced to an area outside their natural range, whether through intentional or accidental means. These introduced species become competitors and predators of native species, resulting in their elimination or vast reduction from their own original habitats.

In addition to the displacement of native species, other IAS impacts include the disruption of ecosystem functions, loss of habitats, and soil degradation – all of which ultimately lead to a reduction in biodiversity, which is vital for ecosystem resilience.

National parks are designed to protect native biodiversity and ecosystems, but invasive species often undermine these conservation goals, as their presence has spread within national parks themselves. BNT Executive Director Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle said: “Invasive plants and animals are encroaching within the very protected spaces that are meant to safeguard the delicate and vulnerable biodiversity of our islands. National parks across The Bahamas are being impacted by invasive animals like wild hogs, feral cats, rats, and raccoons; and by invasive plants, especially the likes of casuarinas, brazilian pepper, scaevola, and melaleuca. As a result, our precious native species like the Bahama Parrot, flamingoes, iguanas, and our native plants are suffering.

“These invaders are weakening our resilience to climate change; outcompeting and in some instances preying on our native species; and over time, can significantly alter the environmental tapestry of our islands,” she added.

The growth of invasive species in The Bahamas is driven by things such as: the import of non-native plants for landscaping or agriculture; accidental introduction through the “hitchhiking” of seeds or plant fragments on ships, airplanes, and cargo; disturbances such as hurricanes; land clearing and removal of native vegetation; and insufficient regulatory and management framework to control and monitor invasive species.

Facilitated by the Global Environment Facility project “Meeting the Challenge of 2020 in The Bahamas” (GEF 2020), the IAS workshop had more than 35 participants and included theory and training during Day One, and culminated in an outdoor invasive species removal exercise at Bonefish Pond National Park (BPNP) on Day Two. BPNP is one protected area facing an increase in invasive species, and will be part of a robust IAS management program funded and supported by GEF2020.

BNT Project Coordinator Garth Jackson said: “The goal of this workshop was to enhance the understanding of invasive alien species, share successful management strategies for their control, and foster collaboration amongst partners and stakeholders to address this pressing concern.

“In order to combat the problem posed by invasive alien species, education is essential as it can increase awareness and encourage responsible behavior. Good education enables people, groups, and interested parties to identify invasive species, understand their impact, and take proactive measures to stop their spread.”

Anderson-Rolle emphasized the need for continued collaboration to combat the rising threat of invasive species. “Our collaboration as natural resource managers is essential to preserve and protect what is invaluable and intrinsic to The Bahamas. We cannot underestimate the threat of invasive species, and we cannot underestimate the work that will have to be put in by each of us, together and long-term, to effectively address it.

“The BNT is committed to combating invasive species in national parks, so they can remain the sanctuaries of native biodiversity they are meant to be. Thank you to all of our partners who’ve helped facilitate this workshop, for helping to secure the future of our native biodiversity.”