Climate change has negatively – and irreversibly, in some cases – affected ecosystems around the globe. Sadly, though, it is not the only phenomenon that’s altering our natural world.
氣候變遷已經負面地(且在某些情況下，不可逆地)影響地球各地的生態體系。不過遺憾的是，這並不是正在改變咱們自然界的唯一現象。
In 2019, the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Global Assessment Report confirmed invasive alien species as one of the five most important direct drivers of biodiversity loss. The others were climate change, land and sea use, direct exploitation of species, and pollution.
於2019年，有關生物多樣性暨生態體系服務機構之政府間科學政策平台(IPBES)的全球評估報告證實，入侵的外來物種，是五個直接驅動生物多樣性喪失，最重要的直接因素之一。
IPBES, an independent intergovernmental body, was established in 2012. It now has 144 member countries; Somalia, the newest member, joined in mid-September. Its major objective is to strengthen the interface between science and policy to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity.
獨立的政府間機構，IPBES成立於2012年。目前已有144個成員國；最新成員，索馬利亞於2023年9月中旬加入。其主要目標是，加強科學與政策之間的聯繫，來維持及永續利用生物多樣性。
The 2019 assessment found that more than 37,000 alien species had been introduced by many human activities to regions and biomes around the world, most in the past 100 years.
該2019年的評估發現，多於3萬7千種外來物種，因諸多人類活動，已經被引進到世界各地區及生物群落區。大多數是在過去100年間。
A new report by the organization, focused on alien invasive species, suggests this number is rising fast, with new alien species being recorded at an unprecedented rate of approximately 200 annually. It also reveals that the global economic cost of invasive alien species exceeded US$423 billion annually. Costs have at least quadrupled every decade since 1970.
一份該組織著重於外來入侵物種的新報告表明，這一數字正迅速攀升中，具有新外來物種，以每年約200種之前所未有的速度被記錄。報告也透露，入侵之外來種的全球經濟損失，每年超過4230億美元。打從1970年以來，損失至少每十年有四倍。
But the new report doesn’t just concentrate on problems. It also offers solutions. It outlines key responses and policy options that governments may take for prevention, early detection and effective control of invasive alien species. Doing so will help to safeguard nature and its contributions to people. This will ensure a better quality of life for all.
不過，該新報告不僅關注諸多問題。它也提供了諸多解決方案。就預防、早期發現及有效控制入侵的外來種，它概述了政府們能採取的重要響應及政策選擇。這麼做，將有助於保護自然界及其對人類的貢獻。這能確保所有人，享有更佳的生活品質。
I am an invasion biologist whose research focuses on the ecology and management of invasive aquatic plants. Here, I elaborate on the four key messages highlighted by the report that African countries should heed if the continent is to successfully tackle the threats posed by invasive species.
我是一名，研究著重於入侵水生植物之生態及管理的入侵生物學家。在此，我詳盡闡述，該報告所強調的四個關鍵訊息，倘若非洲大陸要成功應對，由入侵物種構成之威脅，非洲國家應該注意的四項重要訊息。
1: Invasive alien species are a major threat to nature, its contributions to people, and good quality of life.
1：入侵的外來物種，對自然界、自然界對人類的貢獻及良好的生活品質，是一項重大威脅。
In Africa, invasive species threaten food security by negatively affecting fish production, agricultural productivity, grazing and water supplies.
於非洲，入侵的物種，由於負面影響了魚類生產、農業生產力、放牧及供水，威脅著糧食安全。
The introduction of the Nile perch, Lates niloticus, into East Africa’s Lake Victoria in 1954 is one of the most extreme examples. Predation by this species caused the extinction of approximately 200 species of cichlids from the lake. It is considered to represent the largest extinction event among vertebrates during the 20th century.
於1954年，尼羅河淡水鱸魚(Lates niloticus)被引入東非維多利亞湖，這是最極端的例子之一。該物種的捕食導致了該湖中，約200種慈鯛科魚類滅絕。它被認為是20世紀期間，於脊椎動物中，最大規模的滅絕事件。
The invasion also resulted in the shallow lake becoming enriched with nutrients as people came to fish for Nile perch. This resulted in the widespread invasion of the lake by water hyacinth. The plant restricted access to the lake, which prevented transport and fishing.
該入侵也導致了，淺的湖泊變得富含營養素。因為，人們來捕撈尼羅河鱸魚。這導致了，該湖泊遭水葫蘆的廣泛入侵。該種植物限制了，進入該湖泊的通道，這阻礙了運輸及捕魚。
2: Globally, invasive alien species and their impacts are increasing rapidly and are predicted to continue rising in the future. Accurate data is crucial.
2: 全球性地，入侵的外來物種及其影響正迅速增加中，預計於未來會繼續增加。精確的數據至關重要。
A 2021 research study highlighted that the reported economic costs of invasive aquatic species were unevenly distributed across geographic regions. Africa, the Oceania-Pacific Islands and the Antarctic-Subantarctic, combined, accounted for only 0.6% of the US$345 billion global estimate. That’s not because the costs are really that low. The data simply isn’t being recorded, so we’re not getting the full picture.
2021年的一項研究強調了，該報告之入侵水生物種的經濟代價，不均勻地分佈於各地理區域。非洲、大洋洲與太平洋的島嶼及南極與亞南極地區，加起來，僅佔全球估計值3450億美元的0.6%。那並非因為代價真的那麼低。該數據完全沒被記錄，因此我們沒有獲得全貌。
African countries need to partner with their neighbours in better quantifying the situation.
在更佳量化此事態上，非洲國家需與其鄰國合作。
3: Invasive alien species and their negative impact can only be prevented and mitigated through effective management.
3：入侵的外來物種及其負面影響，只能透過有效的管理，才能預防及減輕。
In 2011 the Convention on Biological Diversity released its Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The 20 targets were designed to address and mitigate biodiversity loss across the globe. Target 9 stated that, by 2020, invasive alien species and pathways should be identified and prioritised. Priority species should be controlled or eradicated, and measures taken to block new pathways.
於2011年，生物多樣性公約發布了，其愛知生物多樣性目標。這20項目標旨在面對及減輕，全球各地喪失生物多樣性的問題。目標9言明，到2020 年，應確認並將入侵的外來物種及途徑，列出優先順序。應控制或消滅優先物種，並採取阻擾新途徑的措施。
But none of those targets were met. And there has been little or no progress recorded in some African countries. Today, invasive species are reported to be adversely affecting livelihoods in more than 70% of African countries.
不過，那些目標無一被達成。也就是，於一些非洲國家中，一直鮮少或沒有進展記錄。據報道，目前在多於70%的非洲國家中，入侵的物種正不利地影響生計。
Constrained financial resources and the lack of legal frameworks and related operational systems are largely to blame for the lack of progress. For example, there is a huge lack of capacity, mainly at ports of entry – which are the most crucial step in preventing invasions.
缺乏進展主要歸咎於，受限的財政資源、缺乏法律框架及相關作業系統。例如，能力嚴重不足，主要是在防止入侵上，最關鍵階段的入境口岸。
Many regions still have to enhance their management plans for effective control of invasive species, starting with identification of common invasive species.
為了有效控制入侵的物種，諸多地區仍需加強管理計劃，以識別常見的入侵物種開始。
4: There are success stories on the continent – lessons should be shared across borders.
4：於非洲大陸上，有諸多成功的情況。應跨國界分享經驗。
In South Africa, the management of alien plant invasions has been actively supported by the government’s Working for Water programme since 1995.
在南非，打從1995年以來，外來植物入侵的管理，一直受到政府「為水之作業」計劃的積極支持。
A study in 2022 estimated that an average of R310 million (adjusted to 2020 values) had been spent every year on work that covered 2.7 million hectares across more than 76,000 sites. This doesn’t mean plant invasions are totally under control. But it is clear that, without this kind of programme, the situation would be far worse.
於2022年的一項研究估算，平均每年已經花費3.1億蘭特(根據2020年的值進行調整)，在含蓋270萬公頃、76000多個地點的作業上。這並不意味著，植物入侵完全在控制之下。不過很顯然，倘若沒有這類計劃，情況會更糟。
The study recommended that the programme’s future efforts must focus on clearly defined priority sites, improving planning and monitoring, and increasing operational efficiency. These are all valuable lessons for other African countries.
該項研究建議，此計劃未來的努力必須著重於，明確界定的優先地點、改善規劃與監測及提高運作效率。就其他非洲國家而言，這些皆是重要的課業。
Its new report did not focus on any one part of the world, but IPBES has previously been clear about the importance of biodiversity to African nations. In a 2018 regional assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services For Africa, the organisation wrote that
此新報告並非著重於世界任何一個地區，不過有關生物多樣性對非洲國家的重要性，IPBES先前已經清楚知曉。在2018年，一項針對非洲生物多樣性暨生態體系服務機構的區域評估中，該組織寫道：
biodiversity and nature’s contributions in Africa are economically, socially and culturally important, essential in providing the continent’s food, water, energy, health and secure livelihood, and represent a strategic asset for sustainable development and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
在非洲，生物多樣性及自然界的貢獻，在經濟、社會及文化上是重要的。在提供非洲大陸糧食、水、能源、健康及安全生計上，是不可或缺的，且是可持續發展及達成永續發展目標的一種策略資產。
Most of the data in the newest report comes from the northern hemisphere, as this is where most of the research is conducted, and where the majority of funding comes from.
於該最新報告中的大部分數據，來自北半球。因為，這是大部分研究所進行，且是大多數資金來自的地方。
Different countries and regions will have different needs. That’s where the value of regional coordination and knowledge-sharing becomes clear.
不同的國家及地區會有不同的需求。那是區域協調及知識共享之價值，變得顯而易見的地方。
網址：https://theconversation.com/invasive-alien-species-are-a-serious-threat-to-the-planet-4-key-messages-for-africa-213778
翻譯：許東榮
文章定位：
