Invasive alien species

Issue

The European Plant Conservation Strategy (EPCS) points out that invasive alien species (IAS) are now considered to be the second most important cause of global biodiversity loss after habitat destruction. They are responsible for very significant environmental, economic and public health impacts.

Definition

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are alien species whose introduction and spread threatens ecosystems, habitats or species with economic or environmental harm.
(Conference on the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, CoP 6)

Importance

Although many alien species have been introduced accidentally, coming into a particular country with other goods, for example, many species have been introduced intentionally for economic, environmental or even social reasons, states the European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species.

Most invasive alien plant species have originated from gardens, for instance 2/3 of all invasive plants in Germany.

According to the European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species, only a minor subset of introduced species has the potential to become invasive. In those cases, species carry the threat of significant economic impacts, impact on the public health or severe environmental impacts.

Of those introduced species that do not become invasive or even cause problems in their new locations, many have considerable benefits to society in sectors like agriculture, horticulture, forestry and the pet industry.

Plantlife International calls for additional action to control the introduction of alien species, such as national bans on the sale of invasive species and changing the law to control the release of non-native species into the wild.

IAS in the European Plant Conservation Strategy

Target 2.21

"Up to date information on European invasive species made available to relevant target audiences."

Target 2.22

"Holistic institutional, policy and legislative framework for invasive species control established in 25% of European countries."

Lead organisation IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group

Development

The European Strategy for Invasive Alien Species, developed by the Council of Europe, provides the framework for dealing with IAS in Europe. It sets out a "Three-stage hierarchical approach" as the basis for all action:

• Prevention of IAS introductions between and within states is generally far more cost-effective and environmentally desirable than measures taken after IAS introduction and establishment
  
• If an IAS has been introduced, early detection and rapid action are crucial to prevent its establishment: the preferred response is often to eradicate the organisms as soon as possible
  
• Where eradication is not feasible or resources are not available, containment and long-term control measures should be implemented.

Below is a list of concrete activities that have been carried out in relation to plant IAS in Europe:

• Plantlife International has worked in the UK to advise local, regional and national policy for non-native invasive plants over the past few years. It includes the development of a list of species causing significant problems in the wild across the UK.


• NEOBIOTA - the European Group on Biological Invasions - is a group of experts working on IAS. Since 2004 it has extended its range to all of Europe. The network created an important European wide news server. Conferences take place every two years, the next in 2008 in Prague.
  
• EPPO has established a panel on IAS, with members from 10 European countries. This panel gathers information on IAS in the EPPO region, measures to prevent further introductions and measures to eradicate, suppress and contain IAS already introduced.
  
• A national programme for invasive species started in Finland in 2005.
  
• Plant IAS reports and databases have been developed in several European countries (Poland, Belarus and Sweden). For Germany, see www.neophyten.de.
  
• An IAS working group has been established in the Slovak Republic.

This list might be incomplete, in particular when it comes to local and national scale. If you are aware of additional activities and projects on invasive alien plant species that have been carried out anywhere in Europe, please contact the Planta Europa Secretariat, providing a 1-3 sentence summary and a website link where available, so that these activities can be added to the list above.

Action required

Obstacles to dealing with the threat of IAS in Europe are outlined in the European Strategy for Invasive Alien Species. Depending on the country under consideration, these include:

• Low public awareness and opposition to government intervention
  
• Shortage and inaccessibility of scientific information (for species identification, risk analysis, detection and mitigation techniques etc.)
  
• Absence of clear and agreed priorities for action
  
• Ease of introduction and movement (e.g. through the post), inadequate inspection and quarantine
  
• Inadequate monitoring capacity
  
• Lack of effective emergency response measures
  
• Outdated or inadequate legislation
  
• Poor coordination between government agencies, states and other stakeholders.

The strategy addresses these constraints. It aims to facilitate the implementation of the international commitments and best practice and to support the development of realistic policies, measures and targets.

Links

European Community Biodiversity Clearing House Mechanism Invasive Alien Species

Download the European Strategy for Invasive Alien Species