Chulalongkorn University’s Invasive Alien Species Policy

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Invasive Alien Species Policy by Center of Learning Network for the Region, Chulalongkorn University Effective Date: October 1, 2023

1. Overview

The Center of Learning Network for the Region, or CLNR, is a university office assigned to facilitate Chulalongkorn University’s role in regional areas at Nan and Saraburi provinces based on two approaches: 1) develop and support infrastructure for teaching, research, academic service, and student activities of Chulalongkorn University at Nan and Saraburi provinces, and 2) bridge and link local wisdom or need with the university expertise through research, academic services, and knowledge/technology transfers. CLNR activities can be regarded as university device for strategic path to sustainability including sustainable living, sustainable life, and sustainable learn. CLNR is responsible for taking care of the natural reserves in the region including:

1.1 Chulalongkorn University Forest and Research Station at Saraburi Province

A satellite service area of the university in Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province. The 540-hectare area of the CU Forest and Research Station is composed of dry dipterocarp forest habitats which offer a great opportunity for long term research in permanent plots for dynamics of biological resources. Inventory of vertebrate species in this area showed a high diversity of bird (93 species) and substantial number of amphibian (13 spp.) & reptile (12 spp.) and some mammals.

1.2 Chulalongkorn University Forest and Research Station at Nan Province

A satellite service area of the university in Wiang Sa District, Nan Province. CU Forest and Research Station at Nan Province is a 300-hectare area in northern part of Thailand. This area was originally covered by a deciduous forest composed mainly of dipterocarp and other deciduous plants. It was disturbed by human activities in the past. Currently, restoration efforts, including water management, reforestation and forest fire protection, has been carried out by Chulalongkorn University.

2. Purpose

2.1 This policy is intended to guide CLNR and its partners on how to prevent and mitigate the negative effects to biodiversity, ecosystems and human enterprise that could result from the introduction, both intentional and unintentional, of invasive alien tree species.
2.2 The policy aims to ensure CLNR’s compliance with international legislations such as International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), Convention on Biological Diversity, WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), and any other FAO’s Pest Risk Analysis for Quarantine Pests, FAO’s Requirements for Phytosanitary Certificates, and any other specific regulations regarding invasive alien species.
2.3 The policy will guide the CLNR researchers to make informed choices in pursuit of CLNR’s goal that aims to promote ecosystem resilience through use of wide intra-and inter-specific tree diversity.

3. Scope

3.1 This is a Center-wide Policy and is applicable to all CLNR staff as well as the partners team, including students, professors, research fellows and consultants, working at these two CU Forest and Research Stations.
3.2 Partners and their staff collaborating with CLNR are required to comply with this policy as it affects their activities on CLNR-led projects.
3.3 CLNR will not engage in partner-led projects which do not adhere to international legislations (section 2.2 above) and other country specific policies or legislations for dealing with invasive alien species.

4. Definitions

The following definitions are used for terms included in this policy¹.

4.1. Alien species: (synonyms: non-native, non-indigenous, foreign, exotic) a species, subspecies, or lower taxon introduced outside its present or recent historical natural distribution; includes any plant/animal part, gamete, seeds, eggs, or propagules of such taxa that might survive and subsequently reproduce.
4.2. Casual alien species: Alien species that may flourish and even reproduce occasionally in an area, but which do not form self-replacing populations, and which rely on repeated introductions for their persistence.
4.3. Environmental weeds: Alien plant/animal taxa that invade natural vegetation and, adversely affect native biodiversity and/or ecosystem functioning.
4.4. Invasive alien species: Plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are exotic, non- indigenous or non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health. They spread aggressively, and which threaten indigenous ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. They may include naturalized species.
4.5. Naturalized species: Alien species that reproduce consistently (c.f. casual alien species) and sustain populations over more than one life cycle without direct intervention by humans; they often reproduce freely, and do not necessarily invade natural, semi-natural or human-made ecosystems.
4.6. Phytosanitary measures: Any legislation, regulation or official procedure having the purpose to prevent the introduction and/or spread of pest plants (c.f. alien invasive plants) [see FAO, 1995; revised IPPC, 1997; ISPM, 2002]
4.7. Plant introduction: The purposeful or unintentional movement by humans of tree and shrub species propagules outside its natural range and dispersal potential. This movement can be either within a country, or between countries. Such introduction should not be construed as applying only to initial introductions but applies also to any purposeful or unintentional movement of said propagules.
4.8. Pre-cautionary measures: Considerations and activities to be undertaken when dealing with a tree/animal species suspected to be potentially invasive. This may include consultation experts on invasive tree/animal species specialist, review of information on species behavior elsewhere, risk assessment, contained screening or field testing.
4.9. Weeds: Plants (not necessarily alien) that grow in sites where they are not wanted, and which usually have detectable economic or environmental effects (Synonyms: pest plant, harmful species).

5. Policy Statement

5.1 CLRN is committed to operating in conformity with all international legislation relating to plant/animal genetic resources, including on their transfer to different locations.
5.2 Principles
CLNR activities and response to issues on invasive alien tree/animal species shall be guided by the following principles:
- 5.2.1. CLNR supports the four major options available for dealing with alien invasive species, namely: prevention, early detection, control and eradication.
- 5.2.2. Prevention of invasive plant species shall mainly be addressed through compliance with phytosanitary best practices and authenticating the species status from recognized database2.
- 5.2.3. CLNR shall support and collaborate with partners in research in both anthropogenic and natural ecosystems to detect potential plant/animal invaders and facilitate early detection of invasive species.
- 5.2.4. CLNR recognizes that some useful alien species may be potentially invasive, especially in changing socio-economic and land use situations that can turn a beneficial plant/animal into a problem, pre-cautionary measures are therefore required during such species introductions.
- 5.2.5. This policy should not be interpreted to imply that CLNR is against the introduction of exotic plant/animal species within or between countries. However, CLNR acknowledges that it has a responsibility to undertake activities that minimize unintended negative impacts.
- 5.2.6. Where necessary, CLNR shall engage the expertise of specialists in invasive species field or relevant institutions to undertake risk assessment before the introduction of a suspected potentially invasive species.
- 5.2.7. Where accidental introductions of the alien invasive tree species may have occurred, CLNR shall support and collaborate with partners to develop suitable control and eradication measures.
5.3 Invasive species categories
The following categories of invasive species are generally recognized:
- Category 1: Invasive species which must be combatted and eradicated. Any form of trade or introducing is strictly prohibited.
- Category 2: Species deemed to be potentially invasive, for which precautionary measures is required to carry out a restricted activity.
- Category 3: Invasive species which may remain in prescribed areas or geopolitical units, e.g. provinces, districts, countries, etc. Further planting, propagation or trade, is however prohibited.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Individuals involved in overseeing the implementation and compliance of the policy include:

6.1. CLNR proposal reviewer of each unit (Central Unit, Saraburi Unit, and Nan Unit) shall ensure compliance with the proposal checklist during proposal development, project start up and project close out.
6.2. CLNR Monitoring, Evaluation, Impact and Acceleration Unit shall contribute to monitoring the impact of tree/animal species introduced through CLNR projects.

7. Review

7.1. This policy will be reviewed every three years or more frequently if required by the CLNR Experts.
7.2. Any changes made to the Policy will be presented to the Unit Leadership Team for endorsement and thereafter submitted to the Board of CLNR for approval.