TORONTO, November 5, 2004 -- York University is hosting a conference examining the growing problem of invasive species – non-indigenous plants and insects – that are either brought into Canada deliberately (imported) or come here by accident (such as in a ship’s ballast). The conference, which is being organized by York’s Centre for International and Security Studies (YCISS), will be held Monday, November 8.
Photo: Asian Long Horned Beetle
It will bring together several leading biologists and experts, including from York, who will discuss how invasive species have negative consequences for Canada’s agriculture and forestry industries, and cost the Canadian economy billions of dollars annually.
Conference topics (from among York University faculty and experts) include:
Economic Impacts of Invasive Species (Peter Victor, York University) -- An examination of the burgeoning literature on the economic impacts of invasive species including production, price and market, trade, food and nutrition, human health and environment, and prevention and control impacts.
Limits to the Roles of Science in the Management of Non-indigenous Invasive Species: The Example of the Spiny Water Flea in Canadian Shield Lakes (Norman Yan, York University) -- An exploration of larger-than-science issues in society’s response to the threat posed by non-indigenous species including governance, the interplay of agencies, economics, and the application of legal instruments.
Invasive Species: Towards some Solutions Ethical & Educational Perceptions of ‘Pests’
(Leesa Fawcett, York University) An exploration of various ethical and educational perceptions of 'pests' and invasive species, derived from questions, such as: What is a pest? Who decides strategically which species are dangerous, and why?
Conference topics (from among additional experts in the field) include:
Predicting Biological Invasions and the Economic Cost of Invasive Species in Canada (Hugh MacIsaac, University of Windsor) -- A discussion of non-indigenous species, significant economic harm through lost production, and eradication and control costs.
Invasive Species: The Problems Detecting Invasive Species (Rob Roughley, University of Manitoba) -- On the need for a complete biological inventory of invasive species.
Indigenous Perspectives on Invasive Species (Dan Longboat, Trent University) -- The social, cultural, political and economic influences and impacts on indigenous lives and lifestyles – the Haudenosaunee peoples of the Lake Ontario basin and the St. Lawrence River watershed.
Invasive Species: Insights from Interdisciplinary Perspectives GMO’s, Trade and Invasive Biotypes (Jennnifer Clapp, Trent University) -- The extent to which genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have spread globally to regions that currently restrict their use, via trade and food aid.
Citizen Science and Invasive Species (Hague Vaughan, Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network – EMAN) A study of 31 diverse Canadian communities and environmental monitoring of invasive species using standardized protocols.
Legal Controls of Invasive Species in the US and Canada (Paul Muldoon, Canadian Environmental Law Association) – A comparison of U.S. and Canadian regulatory / non-regulatory controls for invasive species and the needs for much more rigorous legal controls.
Invasive Species: The Current Position in Canada (Bob McLean, Environment Canada) -- Context and summary of progress-to-date on the development of a coordinated and integrated strategy for Canada.
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For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Ken Turriff, Media Relations, York University, 416-736-2100, x22086 / kturriff@yorku.ca
