Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University

Policy on Reducing the Impact of Alien Species on Campus

Policy created: 2025 y.

Policy revised: 2026 y.

Turkistan, 2025

Policy on Reducing the Impact of Alien Species on Campus

1 Purpose and commitments

The University commits to preventing the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, reducing their impacts on native biodiversity, ecosystem services and human health, and restoring affected campus sites. Management is based on risk assessment, early detection, proportionate action and verification of results. This policy supports SDG 15, particularly Target 15.8, and complements the University’s policies on terrestrial ecosystems and protected species.

2 Scope and definitions

The policy covers campuses, the botanical garden, green spaces, water bodies and teaching and research sites managed by the University, and staff, students, visitors and contractors undertaking activities at these sites. An alien species is a species moved through human activity beyond its natural range; an invasive alien species is an alien species that threatens biodiversity. Not all alien species are invasive. Native weeds, quarantine organisms and pests are not automatically classified as invasive alien species. Separate mandatory measures may apply to them.

3 Risk assessment and priority list

The botanical garden and relevant specialists establish and annually review a list of confirmed and potentially harmful alien species. Assessment considers legal status, scientific evidence, reproductive and dispersal capacity, climatic suitability, introduction pathways and consequences for native species. Current Kazakhstan quarantine lists and applicable Eurasian Economic Union requirements are checked. Campus occurrence must be confirmed by surveys rather than assumed. Incomplete evidence prompts temporary restrictions and further assessment. Collection and ornamental plants presenting acceptable risks may be retained with appropriate controls.

4 Prevention in procurement and landscaping

Before plants, seeds or other living material are purchased, accepted as gifts, exchanged or planted, their scientific identity, provenance and invasion risk are checked. Preference is given to site-appropriate native species and suppliers offering traceable material. Species prohibited by applicable requirements or assessed by a specialist as posing unacceptable risks must not be purchased or planted. Necessary phytosanitary and quarantine documents are verified. Suspect consignments are kept separate from plantings pending a specialist’s decision and, where required, instructions from the competent authority.

5 Spread pathways and collection management

Movement of soil, compost, planting material and equipment must prevent the transfer of seeds, rhizomes, eggs and other viable parts of organisms. Tools, machinery and footwear are cleaned after use at infested sites. Botanical collections, greenhouses, water features and laboratories apply containment measures proportionate to the risk of organisms escaping. Releasing animals, discharging living cultures or transferring organisms into the natural environment requires a lawful basis and necessary permits. Collection records document provenance, containment conditions and evidence of self-dispersal.

6 Early detection and records

Responsible specialists inspect sites at least annually in a suitable season; material reception areas, disturbed ground, campus boundaries and other high-risk sites are checked more frequently under the monitoring plan. Specialists verify reports from staff and students. The register records scientific names, identification evidence, date, coordinates, area or abundance, introduction pathways, threats, actions and follow-up findings. Suspected occurrences trigger restrictions on material movement and access where necessary; regulated organisms are reported to the competent authority through the prescribed procedure.

7 Response and safe control

A plan for each confirmed occurrence specifies responsibility, timing, methods and success indicators. The first priority is preventing further spread, followed by early eradication where feasible; established occurrences are contained and their impacts reduced. Mechanical, cultivation-based and other lower-risk methods are preferred. Only authorised pesticides are used, in accordance with instructions and mandatory requirements, by trained operators. Human safety, pollinators, protected species and water are considered; animal control requires competent specialists and lawful, humane methods. Biological control agents must not be released without necessary assessment and authorisation.

8 Material handling and restoration

Removed organisms, seeds, rhizomes, infested soil and packaging are collected, stored, transported and treated in ways that prevent renewed spread and comply with mandatory requirements. Viable invasive material must not enter ordinary compost or be supplied for planting. Storage and treatment sites are inspected. Native vegetation and habitat conditions are restored after control; follow-up checks detect recurrence. Eradication is not declared following a single inspection: a specialist determines the verification period according to species biology and propagule viability.

9 Responsibilities and training

Management appoints responsible personnel and determines resources. The Sustainable Development Research Centre coordinates the plan and annual reporting; the botanical garden and relevant scientists provide identification and risk assessment; facilities and procurement units incorporate requirements into activities and contracts. Contractors receive briefings and document actions. Students and volunteers work under specialist supervision without independently applying chemicals or releasing organisms. For external introduction pathways, the University cooperates with neighbouring land users and authorities; work outside campus requires agreement with rights holders.

10 Monitoring and performance assessment

Annual assessment covers survey coverage, new occurrences, the area or abundance of priority species, completion of control plans, recurrence, native vegetation recovery and unintended effects of measures. Results are compared with baseline data, accounting for season and survey effort; increased detections may reflect improved surveillance. Measurable targets and deadlines are approved after the baseline assessment. Methods are revised where ineffective or harmful to non-target organisms. A public report provides aggregated results without unsupported claims that invasive species are entirely absent.

11 Entry into force and review

The policy takes effect upon approval and is made publicly available. A baseline register of risks and occurrences and an action plan are established within the first year and updated annually thereafter. The policy is reviewed at least every three years or following legislative changes, the emergence of a significant new species or identified control deficiencies. Creation and review dates and approval details are entered following the relevant decisions.

12 Legal and international foundations

Legislation and subordinate requirements apply in their current versions to the extent relevant to the site, organism and activity. International guidance is used consistently with national law; public authorities’ powers are not transferred to the University.

12.1 Legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Environmental Code of Kazakhstan No. 400-VI of 2 January 2021 - prevention of environmental harm, biodiversity protection and waste management. [1]

Law of Kazakhstan No. 183-VII of 2 January 2023 on Flora - conservation, protection, restoration and use of plant life. [2]

Law of Kazakhstan No. 344 of 11 February 1999 on Plant Quarantine - prevention of the introduction and spread of regulated organisms and applicable quarantine and phytosanitary requirements. [3]

Law of Kazakhstan No. 331 of 3 July 2002 on Plant Protection - plant protection and requirements for pesticide handling and use. [4]

Law of Kazakhstan No. 593 of 9 July 2004 on the Protection, Reproduction and Use of Wildlife - requirements when activities affect animals and their habitats. [5]

Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 918 of 19 August 1994 approving the Convention on Biological Diversity. [6]

12.2 International provisions and guidance

Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), Article 8(h) - preventing the introduction of, controlling or eradicating alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species. These principles guide activities within the University’s remit. [7]

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Decision 15/4, 2022), Target 6 - managing introduction pathways, preventing establishment and reducing invasive alien species impacts. Its global numerical target is not automatically treated as a campus standard. [8]

UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/70/1 of 25 September 2015 - the 2030 Agenda, Target 15.8 on preventing introduction, reducing impacts and controlling priority invasive alien species. [9]

Before procurement or treatments, responsible specialists check current lists, permits, instructions and competent authorities’ requirements. Information on particular species and achieved results is reported only after verification.