Action IP5 Launch management activities to control exotic species and their impact

Fight against exotic, invasive species

On May 31 – June 3, 2021, La Réserve Naturelle hosted a professional training session organized by the OFB on the subject of management of exotic, invasive species. This training, led by the French committee for the UICN and Julien Chalifour, was attended by 15 participants from all across the French Caribbean. The first three days were dedicated to theoretical questions. What is a biological invasion? What are the consequences? How to detect it? And how to manage it? The last day included practical sessions in the field. On the island of Pinel, the participants were able to actually contribute to the fight against two invasive vegetal species— sisal agave and sansevieria—which reproduce rapidly. The goal was to expose the participants to the logistical restraints of these kinds of actions in the field: preparation of tools; access by boat to a small island; progressing on foot to carry the equipment; organization of the work site to remove the invasive plants from a protected site in a natural reserve; work to prevent new propagation at the site, as well as at the site of elimination, such as the Grandes Cayes eco-site, where 180 kilos of invasive plant debris was composted. Pascal Alix-Laborde, territorial council member in charge of the environment, listened in on this training. In this way, an elected official could be made aware of the problems caused by biological invasions, and extra management costs if action if not taken in a timely manner.