Day of Biological Diversity marked as UN flags threat by 'invasive alien species'

Marking the International Day for Biological Diversity, United Nations officials today underscored the harm caused when certain living species are introduced to foreign habitats.

Known as "invasive alien species," these weeds, pests and diseases compete with native plants and animals, displace them, consume them, act as parasites, cut survival rates, and can even cause the extinction of entire species, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

"The dramatic growth in tourism and trade is offering these unwanted visitors more and more opportunities to travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres beyond their natural habitat via boat or aircraft," observed UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer. "Some thrive in their new homes - but at great cost to native species and ecosystems, and at a cost of billions of dollars to local economies," he added.

"While alien species are an age-old problem, we are only now starting to fully appreciate the havoc they cause," said Hamdallah Zedan, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was adopted in 1992 under UNEP auspices. "Only when people fully realize what is happening and what is at stake can we begin to reverse the destruction."

The President of the UN General Assembly, Harri Holkeri of Finland, called attention to the potential threats caused by genetically modified organisms. "Today we already know of examples where genetically engineered species pollute the germplasm of the indigenous ones with dire consequences," he said. "The inability of some of the crossbreeds of indigenous and genetically modified species to multiply and produce offspring is already a fact today."

In his message marking the Day, Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for a far-sighted approach to environmental concerns. "Rising resource demands, exacerbated by a host of political and economic factors that encourage us to exploit ecosystems for short-term gain, are placing the world in long-term jeopardy, with possibly devastating implications for human development," he said.

The date of 22 May was chosen to commemorate the International Day for Biodiversity because it marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Biodiversity Convention, a pact which sets commitments for maintaining the world's ecological underpinnings.