Updating the Invasive Alien Species List: A Novel Process for Brazil’s Federal Protected Areas

Updating the Invasive Alien Species (IAS) list in Federal Protected Areas (FPA) is vital for biodiversity conservation. In Brazil, ICMBio has worked continuously on this process in recent years, albeit without standardization. This paper introduces a new process for updating the IAS list in Brazil’s FPA. The workflow development involved a three-day participatory workshop for process mapping, following the Results-Based Management Program approach. Subsequently, a workshop with 26 participants was held to discuss bottlenecks, challenges, and alternatives for the update. The resulting workflow consists of three main phases: consultation, data analysis, and consolidation. During the update, data were collected from reports and databases. The reliability of the information is then verified, ensuring the species is not native to the protected area and its impacts are recognized. In doubtful cases, records were validated for specialists. Additionally, the procedure includes five key evaluative indicators to monitor and assess its effectiveness. In the first cycle, we received a higher number of reports (n=60,306) of IAS affecting FPA, with data gathered from multiple sources. Several specialists and volunteers contributed to validation. We identified IAS of flora (n=162) and fauna (n=128) across 246 of 340 FPA. The new workflow ensures data standardization and reliability, fostering integration across sectors and institutions. Furthermore, the established workflow and the resulting list were formally recognized through the publication of a federal government regulation. Institutionalizing the process and public consultation periods enhance participation, supporting improved IAS management and effective strategies for addressing biological invasions.