Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species - Soqotra, Yemen

The Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS) presents validated and verified checklists (inventories) of introduced (alien) and invasive alien species at the country, territory level. The development of the GRIIS is an initiative supported by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and is implemented within the framework of the Global Invasive Alien Species Information Partnership. The IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group is the project lead. The resource will be a support to Parties to make progress to Achieve Aichi Target 9 -in the development of their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans, their National Invasive Alien Species Strategy and Action Plan, target setting and monitoring.

GRIIS has global coverage, including the European Overseas Territories and Regions. Where appropriate, Sub-lists have been created for Oceanic Islands- for e.g. Soqotra of Yemen and the Juan Fernandez Islands of Chile. Taxonomic coverage includes all Kingdoms Animalia, Bacteria, Chromista, Fungi, Plantae, Protozoa, Viruses.

The Global Register of Invasive Species (GRIS) was developed as a concept and prototype by the IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) in 2006 as part of a project undertaken for the Defenders of Wildlife on the Regulation of Live Animal Imports into the United States. The concept was revisited and expanded by the ISSG to address Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 and support its achievement- with the development of the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS). GRIIS hosted by the ISSG compiles annotated and verified country-wise checklists (inventories) of introduced (alien) and invasive alien species. Development and population of the GRIIS was undertaken by the ISSG within the framework of activities of the Information Synthesis and Assessment Working Group of the Global Invasive Alien Species Information Partnership (GIASIP). A summary of the process • The compiler team will conduct a comprehensive lit review of authoritative and credible source information and develop a draft annotated country checklis (inventory) of introduced (alien) and invasive alien species. • Annotations include species name (accepted name and synonym if used by the source), higher taxonomy, environmental/system in which the species occurs, biological status (provenance and invasiveness-based on evidence of impact), • Country editor/editors are identified and consulted with for advice including knowledge of any key resources • Draft checklists (inventories) are submitted to country editors for a review for both accuracy of information and for any significant gaps. Revisions are implemented based on feedback. • Every species record includes a check (indication) if the status has been verified as feedback is received. In cases where ‘evidence of impact’ information is gathered from peer-reviewed literature or reports; the species status will be considered 'verified' • Names of the editors as well as the complete reference list of sources consulted is recorded. • Updates will be implemented six-monthly including change in status of species or any new records Notes on the annotations • Species names recorded from source information are referred to the GBIF taxonomic editor; if the source species name is a synonym, the accepted name is also recorded. This will help us to apply a consistent taxonomy across all inventories • Higher taxonomy- Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Genus and Species with species authority. • Environment system- terrestrial/ freshwater / brackish / marine/ host and combinations • Provenance- a) as recorded by the source information b) as interpreted by the compiler - three options applied are alien, native/alien (if the species is native in a part of a country and alien in another part), provenance uncertain/cryptogenic • Invasiveness based on evidence of impact

GRIIS, hosted by Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) in Rome, Italy, has been developed with co-funding from the European Union through the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity within the framework of the Global Invasive Alien Species Information Partnership (GIASIPartnership).