Strasbourg, 30 April 2009                                                                            T-PVS/Inf (2009) 5

[Inf05a_2009.doc]

CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE

AND NATURAL HABITATS

Bern Convention Group of Experts
on Invasive Alien Species

/

Groupe d’experts de la Convention de Berne

sur les espèces exotiques envahissantes

Brijuni, Croatia, (5-7 May 2009)

/

Brijuni, Croatie (5-7 mai 2009)

__________

Implementation of recommendations

on Invasive Alien Species

/

Mise en œuvre des recommandations

sur les espèces exotiques envahissantes

National reports and contributions /

Rapports nationaux et Contributions‑‑

Document prepared by

the Directorate of Culture and of Cultural and Natural Heritage


CONTENTS / SOMMAIRE

__________

1.   Armenia / Arménie.................................................................................................................. 3

2.   Austria / Autriche................................................................................................................... 8

3.   Bulgaria / Bulgarie.................................................................................................................. 16

4.   Croatia / Croatie...................................................................................................................... 23

5.   Estonia / Estonie..................................................................................................................... 28

6.   Finland / Finlande................................................................................................................... 29

7.   France / France........................................................................................................................ 30

8.   Hungary / Hongrie................................................................................................................... 32

9.   Iceland / Islande...................................................................................................................... 36

10. Ireland / Irlande....................................................................................................................... 37

11. Italy / Italie.............................................................................................................................. 41

12. Malta / Malte........................................................................................................................... 44

13. Poland / Pologne..................................................................................................................... 38

14. Norway / Norvège................................................................................................................... 40

15. Slovakia / Slovaquie................................................................................................................ 44

16. Slovenia / Slovénie.................................................................................................................. 52

17. Spain / Espagne....................................................................................................................... 57

18. Sweden / Suède....................................................................................................................... 59

19. Switzerland / Suisse................................................................................................................ 62

20. Tunisia / Tunisie....................................................................................................................... 64

21. United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni............................................................................................ 65

22. GEIB Grupo Especialista en Invasiones Biológicas............................................................... 68

23. NOBANIS............................................................................................................................. 71


1. ARMENIA / ARMENIE

Short information

on invasive plant and animal species in Armenia

Invasive species are now one of the greatest threats to natural ecosystems, and their investigations and control and limitation are one of priorities in nature conservation. Also they threat agriculture, forestry, fishery as well human health. We define invasion as the act of exotic species entering natural communities, potential displacing native vegetation. At present, data on the spread and distribution of invasive plant species in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and their impact on agricultural and natural areas are missing. One of the objectives of this research proposal is the study of the recent spread of invasive species and their impact on biodiversity and natural ecosystems used as pastures, hayfields and disturbed forests. There is only one publication on this problem: M. Fayvush “Invasive species as threat to natural ecosystems of Armenia”. It has theoretical character and serves for attraction of investigators to this problem.

Armenia is a Transcaucasian republic, bordering Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Iran. It is a landlocked country with a total area of 29,740 km2. Armenia is generally a mountainous country, having its lowest point at 375 m above sea level and culminating at 4095 m, with an average altitude of 1850 m. Variations in altitude have important effects on the climatic and landscape zones, and consequently on the vegetation of the country.

During last years (since 1992) the economic and energy crisis mainly threatened Armenia’s forests. Poor forest management combined with illegal wood cutting for fuel and construction damaged about 10 % of the total forest area. At the same time, overgrazing destroyed the grasslands surrounding the villages and degraded the formerly unspoilt pastures of remote mountains.

Similarly to other Eastern European countries the period of economic transition seriously affected the development of the country agriculture. Small individual economies have become unprofitable in the majority of cases. Modern agricultural technology is of no avail on small private farms. As a result on the one hand the process of enlargement of agricultural economies started, and on the other hand remarkably big territories of agricultural land became abandoned and are not utilized as appropriate during last years. Also now Armenia is the main route between Iran and Georgia and further Russia. The deficiency of the state quarantine service has much facilitated the entry of new alien plant species in particular along transport routes. These alien species are potential hazards to biodiversity, agriculture and natural ecosystems. In addition, it is possible that some of the large stocks of crop seed stocks received as humanitarian assistance were contaminated by weeds.

Armenia is a unique country, it has very rich composition of ecosystems of different origin. Now there is a threat for changing natural ecosystems as a result of invasions alien plant and animal species. It is well known that many weed invasive species distribute in disturbed natural ecosystems. Now there is a situation in Armenia that weed species distribute in natural ecosystems, which used as pastures and haylands, as well as in cutted and disturbed forests.

Until present time the problem of invasive species was practically not in the focus of attention in Armenia. Within last 50 years segetal flora and vegetation of the republic was investigated more or less in details. What about alien, invasive plant species – there were no special investigations carried out. New species detected on the territory of Armenia, herbarium sample of it was stored in the herbarium of the Institute of Botany of the NASA RA (ERE). The most interesting cases were published in articles about new findings in the flora of the republic. Species that were specially introduced and used for town and settlement greenery or artificial afforestation and further penetrated to natural ecosystems were totally out of attention. The first national report on Armenia biodiversity (1999) had a small section dedicated to alien invasive species.

A little bit more attention was paid to indigenous, expansive species. During geobotanical investigations of forage lands of Armenia investigators marked species composition, level of infestation of natural hayfields and pastures; influence of pasture on the spread of separate species of weed plants; also different measures of fighting against them were suggested.

The main reason of lack of studies of invasive species of Armenia is probably underestimation of this problem importance from scientific community and governmental structures. It was considered that due to the mountainous and indented landscape of the country and absence of big plain territories invasive species could not harm greatly natural flora and vegetation of the republic.

Thanks to our efforts the attitude towards the problem of invasive species of Armenia has changed a little. In year 2005 a scientific research topic was approved with governmental funding, that included the spread of main invasive and expansive species in the territory of Republic. For full up to date investigation this funding is of course insufficient, but the first step is done.

According to results of preparatory work (literature and herbarium materials review), as well as by results of preliminary fields investigations we created a list of species that require immediate attention (Annex 1). This list contains both species known as invasive in other regions of the world and new recently revealed in the republic plant species, and registered indigenous expansive species. Since 2005 during field works we started data collection on the spread of those species, their ecological peculiarities, and level of penetration in natural ecosystems. All these data will be placed in appropriately designed DAISIE computer database. The full analysis of preliminary data will be carried out in the nearest future and species that are most threatening for natural ecosystems and correspondingly require immediate investigation will be separated.

The most concern is causing at the present time one of the really alien species Ailanthus altissima, which is spreading in natural ecosystems of the north and south of Armenia, as well as in disturbed ecosystems of Central part of Republic. Other introduced species (Robinia pseudoacacia, Gleditschia triacanthos, Helianthus tuberosus) are met in natural ecosystems relatively rarely yet. Robinia pseudoacacia is penetrating natural ecosystems rather intensively in the North Armenia. But taking into consideration their high invasion potential the control of their spread is necessary. Species that occasionally penetrated republic territory (Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Galinsoga parviflora, Galinsoga ciliata, Sphaerophysa salsula) are also requiring constant control of their spread. The most attention and deep investigation require indigenous expansive species, especially those, which are growing plentifully in abandoned fields, create a reserve of seeds and penetrate into natural ecosystems.

In the last 2 years special investigations were organized on the distribution and ecological peculiarities of some species known as invasive in different regions of the world. These species are: Tanacetum vulgare, Cardaria draba, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium incanum, Chondrilla juncea, Leucanthemum vulgare. Also the list of potentially invasive species was enlarged during the field observations. For example, Astragalus galegiformes (North Armenia), Silybum marianum (North and South Armenia), Chamaesyce maculata (Central Armenia), Spaerophysa salsula (Central Armenia) were included in this list.

Presently Armenia is experiencing spontaneous dissemination of several species including jackal (Canis aureus), porcupine (Hystrix leucura), Persian squirrel (Sciurus persicus), musquash, pheasant, Caspian turtle (Mauremis caspica), crucian, silver carp, white carp, sazan (Cyprinus carpio), rainbow trout, crayfish.

Certainly in such a situation with invasion of alien fauna representatives in the country it is not feasible to undertake radical measures.


Annex 1

Invasive and expansive species of plants that are a potential threat for natural ecosystems of Armenia

Species

Introduction

Status

Threat

Acer ibericum

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in arid and semi-arid communities

Acer negundo

Introduced

Potentially invasive species

Independently spreading in towns and settlements, more rarely in the disturbed habitats

Acroptilon repens

Aborigine

Expansive species

Plentiful on disturbed habitats, abandoned fields

Ailanthus altissima

Introduced

Invasive species

Intensively penetrates natural ecosystems

Alliaria petiolata

Aborigine

Potentially expansive species

Widespread in Armenian forests, but not plentiful and do not of an immediate threat

Amaranthus retroflexus

Aborigine

Invasive species

Widespread in Central Armenia, especially on disturbed areas and in the towns

Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Accidentally introduced

Potentially invasive species

Revealed at first in the north of Armenia in1983 (Gabrielian & Tamanyan 1985, Avetisyan 1995), currently is spreading in Erevan city and Ararat valley

Anemone fasciculata

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in sub-alpine meadows

Anthemis cotula Anthemis triumfettii

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in meadows, abandoned fields and  edges of forests

Arctium palladinii

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading on disturbed habitats, especially on forest glades

Artemisia vulgaris

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading on disturbed habitats

Astragalus galegiformis

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading on forest edges, roadsides in North Armenia

Caltha palustris

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading on wetlands in middle and upper mountain belts

Cardaria boissieri, Cardaria draba

Aborigine

Potentially invasive species

Intensively spreading on disturbed habitats, abandoned fields

Carduus hamulosus, Carduus nutans

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading on disturbed habitats

Centaurea behen

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in steppe communities

Centaurea diffusa

Aborigine

Potentially invasive species

Weed in the cereals fields, penetrating into natural ecosystems (steppes)

Centaurea iberica

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in disturbed habitats in arid and semi-arid zones

Centaurea solstitialis

Aborigine

Potentially invasive species

Widespread in disturbed habitats

Chamaesyce maculata

Aborigine

Expansive species

Widespread in disturbed habitats in semi-desert

Chenopodium botrys

Aborigine

Expansive species

Widespread in disturbed habitats

Chondrilla juncea

Aborigine

Potentially invasive species

Widespread in disturbed habitats

Circaea lutetiana

Aborigine

Expansive and potentially invasive species

Intensively spreading in disturbed forest habitats


Cirsium anatolicum, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium congestum, Cirsium incanum, Cirsium vulgare

Aborigine

Expansive and potentially invasive species

Intensively spreading in disturbed habitats, especially on abandoned fields

Clematis orientalis

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading along rivers of Ararat valley

Conium maculatum

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in disturbed habitats, the spread in sub-alpine communities is registered

Consolida orientalis

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in steppes, semi-deserts, very plentiful in abandoned fields

Conyza canadensis

Aborigine

Invasive species

Intensively spreading in forests, especially in disturbed areas

Crupina vulgaris

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in steppes

Descurainia sophia

Aborigine

Expansive species

Growing mainly in ruderal habitats, penetrating forest and meadows

Erigeron acer,

Erigeron annuus

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively penetrating steppes and meadows

Erodium cicutarium

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in disturbed habitats in arid and semi-arid zones

Euclidium syriacum

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in disturbed habitats in arid and semi-arid zones

Euphorbia seguieriana

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in steppe pastures by first signs of overgrazing

Galinsoga ciliata, Galinsoga parviflora

Accidentally introduced

Potentially invasive species

Widespread in towns, settlements; not registered yet in natural ecosystems

Geranium tuberosum

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in abandoned fields

Glechoma hederacea

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in disturbed forest habitats

Gleditschia triacanthos

Introduced

Potentially invasive species

Spreading along irrigation channels in Ararat valley

Helianthus tuberosus

Introduced

Potentially invasive species

Are cultivated on small squares, rarely met on ruderal and disturbed habitats

Heracleum antasiaticum, Heracleum schelkovnikovii, Heracleum trachyloma

Aborigine

Expansive species

Spreading in disturbed habitats in humid and semi-humid zones

Impatiens glandulifera

Accidentally (?) introduced

Potentially invasive species

Found in North Armenia, needs special control

Iva xanthifolia

Accidentally introduced

Potentially invasive species

Found in West Armenia, needs special control

Leontodon hispidus

Aborigine

Expansive species

Spreading in steppes and meadows

Lepidium latifolium,

Lepidium ruderale

Aborigine

Expansive species

Spreading in disturbed habitats

Leucanthemum vulgare

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in abandoned fields, penetrates meadow and steppe communities

Lythrum salicaria

Aborigine

Potentially invasive species

Widespread on wetlands

Onopordum acanthium

Aborigine

Potentially invasive species

Spreading in disturbed habitats

Papaver macrostomum

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in steppe and meadow communities

Peganum harmala

Aborigine

Expansive species

Spreading in disturbed habitats

Picris hieracioides

Aborigine

Expansive species

Spreading in disturbed habitats

Polygonum alpinum

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in sub-alpine communities

Populus alba

Aborigine

Expansive species

Spreading on wetlands

Rhynchocorys orientalis

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in meadows

Robinia pseudoacacia

Introduced

Potentially invasive species

Rarely met in natural communities, do not of a threat yet

Salix caprea

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spread in disturbed forest habitats

Sanicula europaea

Aborigine

Expansive and potentially invasive species

Intensively spread in disturbed forest habitats

Scandix stellata

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spread in abandoned fields, penetrates meadow and steppe communities

Siegesbeckia orientalis

Aborigine

Expansive species

Spreading in steppes and semi-deserts

Silybum marianum

Aborigine

Expansive species

Enlarged a lot its area in South and North Armenia within last years.

Solidago virgaurea

Aborigine

Potentially invasive species

Widespread in forest and meadow communities

Sonchus oleraceus

Aborigine

Expansive species

Spreading in wetlands

Sphaerophysa salsula

Accidentally introduced

Invasive species

Revealed first in Armenia in 1990 (Zakharian & Fayvush 1991); within those years is spread in Ararat valley

Spinacia tetrandra

Aborigine

Expansive species

Spreading in semi-deserts

Tagetes minima

Introduced

Invasive species

Was introduced as ornamental plant, now spread in disturbed ecosystems

Tanacetum parthenium

Aborigine

Expansive species

Spreading in steppes

Tanacetum vulgare

Aborigine

Potentially invasive species

Is distributed on disturbed areas in Central Armenia

Tribulus terrestris

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in disturbed habitats in arid and semi-arid zones

Tripleurospermum caucasicum, Tripleurospermum transcaucasicum

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in meadow and steppe communities, especially during overgrazing

Veratrum album

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in meadow associations during overgrazing

Verbascum georgicum, Verbascum laxum

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spreading in abandoned fields and disturbed habitats

Xanthium italicum, Xanthium spinosum, Xanthium strumarium

Aborigine

Potentially invasive species

Widespread in disturbed habitats

Xeranthemum squarrosum

Aborigine

Expansive species

Intensively spread in steppes and semi-deserts, especially in disturbed habitats


2. AUSTRIA / AUTRICHE

1. Invasive Species in Austria – a draft inventory

On behalf of the Austrian Federal Environmental Agency a preliminary overview study represents an annotated survey of non-indigenous organisms in Austria. It is generally accepted that non-indigenous species (= alien species or Neobiota) can pose a serious threat to native biodiversity through competition, predation and the transmission of parasites or pathogens. The protection of biodiversity at all levels (ecosystems, species, genetic) is a common goal of conservational efforts (Convention on Biological Diversity), including actions of prevention, control, mitigation or eradication of invasive non-indigenous sapecies that jeopardize native biodiversity. Austria ratified the CBD in 1994. This first national inventory of Neobiota may also contribute to the commitment by individuals and various national, regional and district level organizations to taking actions against non-indigenous organisms. We hope that the results will stimulate further research, so that – with increasing knowledge – it will enhance the protection of native biodiversity.

Neobiota are here defined as non-indigenous organsims wich arrived in Austria later than 1492 with direct or indirect anthropogenic support. This study includes data on plants, fungi and animals in Austria as of February 2002 (single entries up to June 2002). Microorganisms and insufficiently known animal groups were excluded.

The inventory of non-indigenous species is based on literature and on expertise of specialists for all groups. All Neobiota were classified according to the driving forces resposible for their arrival (anthropogenic induced expansion, unintentional introduction and intentional release), current status (naturalized or casual), conservation threats (invasive, potentially invasive, not invasive) and economic relevance. Additionally, geographic origin, distribution in the Federal States of Austria, preferred habitats, and selected references are given.

Table 1. Currently recognized non-indigenous species in Austria. 1 = includes 2.950 species (without microspecies of the genera Hieracium, Rubus, Taraxacum and Ranunculus auricomus agg. (NIKLFELD, 1999) and 1.110 neophytes; 2 = including 51 species with doubtful classification regarding differentiation archaeophytes/neophytes, 14 species that are probably native and 3 species with doubtful classification escaped/planted; 3 = including 52 probably locally naturalized species; 4 = including potentially invasive species.

Group of organisms

Complete species in Austria

Neobiota

Naturalized neobiota

Invasive (poten-tially invasive) species

Vascular plants

4.0601

1.1102

2753

17 (354)

Bryophytes

1.020

4

2

0

Lichens

approx. 2.100

2-3?

2-3?

0

Algae

unknown

4?

?

0

Fungi

unknown

83

61

6

Animals

45.000

>500

300

6 (464)

From Essl & Rabitsch (2002).

So for, 1.110 non-indigenous vascular plants (including some varieties) have been documented for Austria (Tab. 1). In comparison with the approximately 2.950 indigenous vascular plant species (excluding microspecies of the genera Hieracium, Rubus, Taraxacum and Ranunculus auricomus agg. (NIKLFELD, 1999), neophytes constitute 27% of the complete flora.

Of these 1.110 neophytes, 835 species (75%) are casuals, 51 species (5%) are probably naturalized and 224 species (20%) are naturalized in Austria. Of the latter, 106 species (10%) are naturalized at single or few localities only, whereas 118 species (10%) are naturalized and widespread in Austria.

Most neophytes were imported intentionally for ornamental and horticultural reasons. About 627 species (57%) escaped from cultures into the wild, a further 25 species (2%) probably escaped from such cultures. Some 345 species (31%) were introduced unintentioanlly, a further 27 species (2%) probably were introduced unintenionally and the import route of further 86 species (8%) remains unclear.

14 neophytes exert serious economic impacts, especially in agriculture, but also in forestry, water management and in human health aspects.

Altogether, 17 non-indigenous plant species are considered to pose a conservation threat (invasive), because they readily invade natural and semi-natural habitats, where ccompetition with and replacement of native species occurs. These species include:

Acer negundo, Ailanthus altissima, Aster lanceolatus, A. novi-belgii, Bidens frondosa, Elodea canadensis, Epilobium ciliatum, Fallopia japonica, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Helianthus tuberosus, Imaptiens glandulifera, I. parviflora, Populus x canadensis, Robinia pseudacacia, Solidago canadensis, S. gigantea. A further 18 species are considered a potentially invasive threat due to their invasion history and effects observed in neighbouring countries.

Invasive neophytes particularly occur along rivers (riverine forests, tall herbaceous vegetation, riparian areas (banks of rivers, edges of lakes and ponds)) and to a lesser extent in dry meadows in the pannonic region and eastern Austria. The percentages of neophytes in other natural and semi-natural habitats of Austria in comparatively low.

Among the Bryothytes, four neophytes are known of which two are naturalized species and one species shows an expansion in its distribution (Campylopus introflexus).

Among the Lichens, two or three species are suspected to be neophytes.

Among the incompletely known Algae, four species were classified as of probably non-indigenous origin.

Among fungi, 83 non-idigenous species are documented, but many more are expected to occur. About half of the species (40 species) are naturalized on agricultural and horticultural crops only, one quarter of each are regarded as naturalized in the wild (23 species) or casuals (22 species). Two species were assigned to two categories, living on agricultural and horticultural crops as well as in natural and semi-natural habitats (Sphaerotheca mors-uvae, Uncinula nector). In contrast to vascular plants, unintenional import to Austria prevails among the neomycetes (51 species, 61%). Intentional introductions of fungi for gastronomic purposes, which escaped into the wild are known for Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes and Stropharia rugosoannulata. For 29 neomycetes the path of introduction to Austria is unclear. Some of the 30 economically important neomycetes are of particular relevance on agricultural and horticultural plants (e.g. Phytophtora infestans, Ustilago maydis).

Six non-indigenous parasitic fungi species were classified posing a conservation threat for their hosts (e.g. Aphanomyces astaci (crayfish plague) and Ophiostoma ulmi and O. novoulmi (dutch elm disease)).

This survey includes about 500 non-indigenous animal species, i.e. approximately 1% of the complete Austrian fauna. 46 species (9%) pose a threat to the autochthonous fauna (40 potentially invasive species and 6 invasive species). About 30% of the neozoans were classified as having negative economic impacts. This relatively high percentage merely reflects the preferred documentation of economically relevant species, with impacts comprising a wide range from rather low to serious impacts, e.g. in agriculture or forestry. We estimate the complete number of neozoans in the investigated taxonomic groups between 700-800 species.

Invertebrate non-indigenous species prevail both in numbers and of conservational relevance. Two North American crayfish species (Pacifastacus leniusculus, Orconectes limosus) act as vectors and reservoirs of crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) and have driven indigenous crayfish species almost to extiction. Recently, the American red samp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) has been found in a warm-water spring in Southern Carinthia, Warmbad Villach. Within the crayfishes (Astacidae) there are only five species indigenous to Europe, but at least ten non-indigenous species have been found in the wild (Souty-Grosset et al., 2006). Whereas the former are critically endangered, the later are spreading on a large scale. The non-indigenous species are stronger competitors and most of them transmit the crayfish plague fungus, Aphanomyces astaci. Accompanying the Atlas of Crayfish in Europe (Souty-Grosset et al., 2006) an identification booklet for the fifteen species has been produced (Pöckl et al., 2006) and distributed for stakeholders.

The slug Arion vulgaris (= lusitanicus auct.) increasingly takes land in semi-natural habitats and outcompetes native slugs and snails. More non-indigenous mollusc species were also considered as potentially invasive threats. Muskart (Ondatra zibethicus) and the eastern asiatic freshwater clam (Sinanodonta woodiana) may threaten the endangered autochthonous bivalves via predation and competition, respectively.

Among vertebrates, raccoon (Procyon lotor), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), American Mink (Mustela vison), several fish species (e.g. topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva), and several tortoise species were classified as potentially threats to native biodiversity.

About half of the neozoans originate from the Palaearctic region, particularly from the mediterranean subregion. There are, however, deviations between different animal groups. For example, half of the non-indigenous fish species were imported from North America, but only 7% of the beetles.

Aquatic environments are more frequently and more seriously affected by biological invasions, whereas in terrestrial environments non-indigenous species colonize man-made, artificial habitats, i.e. monocultures in agriculture and forestry and urban habitats.

The lists of species and the classification of impacts, of course, refelct current knowledge. Non-indigenous organisms will continue to arrive and naturalize in Austria. Increasing global trade, transport, tourism, the intentional introduction ort he escape of species from culture, as well as the anthropogenic alteration of selection regimes and the creation of new ecological licenses support a continuing increase in Neobiota. Even if these processes were to hold immediately, the delayed period of time between first known appearance and naturalization of most species („time-lag“) guarantees increase of Neobiota in the future.

This study suggests a catalogue of actions to manage Neobiota in Austria. Prevention is a key strategy in taking a precautionary approach to control invasive non-indigenous species which threaten native ecosystems, habitats or species. The continous monitoring of the Austrian fauna and flora is recommended as an integral part of prevention, so that Neobiota can be identified as soon as possible and – if necessary and appropriate – counteractions (eradication, containment, suppression) can be initiated. The development of guiding principles fort he fauna and flora of Austria and the united Europe in the 21st century is an urgent task and a challenge to society, science and politics.

2. National and International Framework and Legal Basis

The Convention on Biological Diversity of the United Nations, was ratified by Austria in 1994 (Federal Law Gazette No 213/95). According to Article 6 of the CBD every Contracting Party shall either develop national strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, or adopt its existing strategies, which in any case, are to reflect the measures set out in the Convention.

The CBD requests the Contracting Parties to prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species (Article 8h). In 2002 the Sixth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Doversity at its meeting in The Hague worked out Guiding Principles on alien species.

The issue of alien species is addressed in several sustantive laws. Many of the relevant legal matters are within the competence of nine Federal States of the Republic of Austria (e.g. laws pertaining to the conservation of nature, hunting and fishery).

Other relevant subjects of law fall under the competence of the Republic of Austria (e.g. Forest Act, Environmental Control Act). The examination and harmonisation of existing subjects of the law with respect to gaps, obstacles or counterproductive provisions constitute important activities under the Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species.


3. Action plan on invasive alien species – Objectives and activities

3.1. Objectives

The Action Plan strives to develop and implement coordinated and internationally harmonised measures with the intention of minimising, or preventing, present and future adverse impacts of alien species on biodiversity, the economy and health.

The species referred to in greater detail in the Action Plan have been selected taking into account whether they pose a threat to biological diversity or cause either economic or health problems. This group of species includes also invasive alien species which are considered problematic because they are presently spreading rapidly or because problematic experiences have been made with them in countries close to Austria. As opposed to this, the Action Plan is not directed towards the majority of alien species, which do not cause any economic or ecological problems.

When implementing the Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species activities are to be launched primarily for those species that are invasive or potentially invasive and that pose a problem for the conservation of nature or for the economy. Furthermore, species posing a risk to human or veterinary health are to be considered. The presented Austrian Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species was published by Essl & Rabitsch (2004).

3.2. Education and awareness-raising

The technically differentiated communication of the issue to political decision-makers and administrative authorities as well as to the broader public is considered an essential stepp towards efficient awareness-raising. Information and awareness-raising in this field have to be provided at different levels (e.g. science, agricultural secondary colleges, owners of aquariums and terrariums, animal breeders, persons trading animals, market gardens and nurseries, trade, hotel and catering industry). It will also be of particular importance to address the issue in connection with the information of decision-makers, the training of multipliers (e.g. teachers and eco-coaches), groups of individuals and vocational groups concerned (farmers and foresters, hunters, fishermen). In many cases introduction is also the result of travelling, which means that providing information to, and awareness-raising of, travellers by air(port)staff and travel agencies are of great importance.

3.3. Capacity building

The complex nature of the issue of biological invasions require a high degree of harmonisation and streamlining as well as committed cooperation with many experts, authorities and representations of interest both on national and international level. Where measures to control problematic alien species are to be implemented in an efficient and purposeful way, reliable, speedy and accurate information exchange is a must.

A focal point for alien species, which is to serve as an information pool and contact point both on national and international level, is to be established at a central location.

3.4. Research and monitoring

Even though research in the field of alien species has increased in Europe over the past few years, our knowledge is still rather incomplete. As concrete studies on ecology, spread, commonness or rarity, on competitive behaviour and relevant changes in biotopes are lacking, assessing the impacts of alien species on Central European communities and species is presently often possible only provisionally or to a limited extent. For assessments of economic impacts, the situation is similar.

Also in the case of Austria, impacts are inadequately documented. In particular, the scattered key data would require synthetic evaluation and processing; without them the quantification of the extent of economic, ecological and health problems and the development of effective strategies at the political and administrative level are impossible. The existing data on the occurrence, spread, commonness, impacts and control measures relating to invasive alien species are therefore to be collected in a central database of alien species.

Successful containment of established and commonly found invasive alien species is very difficult and requires huge efforts (at minor chances of success). Particular attention has therefore to be paid to the documentation and preventive scientific investigation of potentially invasive alien species to ensure that problematic species are detected as early as possible (early warning system). Furthermore, species which have established themselves should be monitored in order that ongoing changes can be identified at an early stage (control system). Austria should aim at a harmonisation with the national biodiversity monitoring which is being prepared as well as with monitoring standards developed on EU level.

3.5. Legal and organisational implementation

To mitigate present, and avoid future negative impacts, legal and organisational implementation are of utmost importance. The required activities are to be carried out on the basis of the key technical data and in compliance with international requirements and developments. Presently most of the alien species found in Austria cause no or only minor impacts, but a few of them involve severe ecological, economic or health consequences. The legal and organisational implementation will therefore focus on the group of the problematic and potentially problematic species.

annex:

List of invasive, potentially invasive, economically problematic, and health-affecting species

The Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species focuses on invasive and potentially invasive species as well as economically problematic and health-affecting species (Table 2). In the implementation of the Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species activities are to be carried out primarily with those abovementioned species which are invasive or potentially invasive and not economically benign. Also species which involve impacts on human health are to receive strong consideration (cf. Tables 2 and 3).

According to the list seventeen of the vascular plant species are invasive, an additional eighteen have been classified as potentially invasive. Of the fungal species, five have been classified as invasive, one as potentially invasive. Eight animal species have been classified invasive, an additional 41 as potential invasive. Some of these animal and plant species are also economically problematic or pose a risk to health, others are economically benign (mainly in agriculture, forestry and commercial horticulture).

Tab. 2. List for invasive and potentially invasive species according to Essl & Rabitsch (2002). Separate columns show whether species involve economic or health consequences or rare economically benign. Black locust and ash-leaved maple appear in the column „economically problematic“ as well as in the column „economically benign“, which is due to the fact that they can have positive or negative impacts, depending to the respective user group.

Legend: A = Invasive, B = potentially invasive, C = economically problematic, D = economocally benign, E = problematic for health.

Scientific name

Common name

A

B

C

D

E

Vascular Plants

Acer negundo

Ash-leaved maple

X

X

(X)

Ailanthus altissima

Tree-of Heaven

X

(X)

Ambrosia artemisifolia

Common Ragweed

X

(X)

X

Amorpha fruticosa

Bastard indigobush

X

Asclepias syriaca

Common milkweed

X

Aster lanceolatus

Narrow-leaved Michaelmas-daisy

X

Aster novi-belgii

Confused Michaelmas-daisy

X

Bidens frondosa

Devils baggarticks

X

Buddleja davidii

Butterfly-bush

X

(X)

Duchesnea indica

Indian mock-strawberry

X

Eleagnus angustifolia

Oleaster

X

Elodea canadensis

Canadian pondweed

X

Elodea nuttallii

Nutall´s pondweed

X

Epilobium ciliatum

American willowherb

X

Fallopia japonica

Japanese knotweed

X

X

Fallopia japonica x sachali-nensis (= F. x bohemica)

Hybrid knotweed

X

X

Fallopia sachalinensis

Giant knotweed

X

X

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Patmore ash

X

(X)

Glyceria striata

Fowl manna grass

X

Heracleum mantegazzianum

Giant hogweed

X

(X)

X

Helianthus tuberosus

Jerusalem artichoke

X

(X)

Impatiens glandulifera

Himalayan balsam

X

Impatiens parviflora

Small balsam

X

Lupinus polyphyllus

Garden lupin

X

Mahonia aquifolium

Holly mahonia

X

Pinus strobus

Eastern white pine

X

(X)

Populus x canadensis

Canadian poplar

X

X

Prunus serotina

Black cherry

X

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Douglas-fir

X

X

Robinia pseudacacia

Black locust

X

X

X

Rudbeckia laciniata

Cutleaf coneflower

X

Senecio inaequidens

South African ragwort

X

Solidago canadensis

Canadian goldenrod

X

Solidago gigantea

Late goldenrod

X

X

Syringa vulgaris

Lilacs

X

(X)

Moss

Campylopus introflexus

-

X?

Fungi

Aphanomyces astaci

causes crayfish plague

X

X

Cryphonectria parasitica

causes chestnut blight

X

X

Ophiostoma novo-ulmi

causes Dutch elm diesease

X

X

Ophiostoma ulmi

causes Dutch elm disease

X

X

Phyophthora cambivora x fragariae

causes alder decline

X

X

Mycosphaerella dearnessii

-

X

Mammals

Mustela vison

American mink

X?

(X)

Nyctereutes procyonoides

Raccoon dag

X?

(X)

Ondatra zibethica

Muskart

X?

(X)

Rattus norvegicus

Brown rat

X?

(X)

Procyon lotor

Raccoon

X?

(X)

Birds

Alectoris chukar

Chukar partridge

X

(X)

Alectoris rufa

Red-legged partrige

X

(X)

Phasanius colchicus

Pheasant

X

X

Fish

Ctenopharyngodon idella

Grass carp

X

(X)

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Silver carp

X

(X)

Hypophthalmichtys nobilis

Bighead carp

X

(X)

Lepomis gibbosus

Pumkinseed sunfish

X

Neogobius kessleri

Bighead goby

X

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Rainbow trout

X

X

Pseudorasbora parva

Stone moroko

X

Reptiles

Emys orbicularis ssp. (non orbicularis)

European pond turtle

X

Trachemys sp., Pseuemys sp. and other

Various turtle species

X

Butterflies

Argyresthia trifasciata

-

X

Coleotechnites picaela

Kearfott

X

Phyllonorycter issikii

Lime leaf miner

X

Theresimia ampellophaga

Vine bud moth

X

Crustaceans

Chelicorophium curvispinum

-

X

Chelicorophium robustum

-

X

Cyclops vicinus

-

X

X?

Dikerogammarus villosus

Killer shrimp

X

Eurytemora velox

-

X

X?

Hemimysis anomala

European freshwater shrimp

X

Orconectes limosus

Spiny-cheek crayfish

X

(X)

Pacifastacus leniusculus

Signal crayfish

X

X

(X)

Spiders and Harvestmen

Dictyna civica

Wall spider

X

X

Pholcus phalangioides

Long-legged spider

X

X

Tegenaria atrica

Common house spider

X?

X

Opilio canestrinii

-

X

Snails

Arion distinctus

Common garden slug

X

X

Arion vulgaris

Spanish slug

X

X

Cernuella neglecta

Neglected dune snail

X

(X)

Conus asperum

Brown garden snail

X

(X)

Deroceras panomitanum

Brown field slug

X?

X

Deroceras reticulatum

Reticulated slug

X

X

Deroceras sturanyi

-

X

X

Physella heterotropha

-

X?

Potamopyrgus antipodarum

New Zealand mud snail

X

Bivalves/Clams

Corbicula fluminea

Asiatic clam

X

X?

Dreissena polymorpha

Zebra mussel

X

X

Sinanodonta woodiana

Easterm Asiatic freshwater clam

X

X?

Nematodes

Anguillicola crassus

Swim-bladder nematode

X

X

Turbellaria

Dendrocoelum romanodanu-biale

-

X?

Totally fourteen neophytic vascular plant species cause serious economic loss (Table 3). In five out of fourteen species economic loss is presently still limited to small regions or risk of economic loss exists only upon further spread of these expansive species. Two neophytic vascular plants cause severe problems for human health. Thrity of the fungal species have more or less adverse economic impacts. About 150 of the animal species are known to have detrimental economic impacts. Also in this case the extent of impacts varies widely and only few species are very important agricultural or forest pests o rare of relevance from the point of view of veterinary medicine.

Tab. 3. List of neophytes (plant species) involving problematic economic and health consequences. Legend: (X) = economic loss presently locally restricted or risk of economic loss only upon further spread of the expansive species, X = significant economic loss. Black locust and ash-leaved maple have positive as well as negative impacts, dependning on the respective user group (Table 2).

Scientific name

Common name

economically problematic

problematic for health

Abutilon theophrastii

Velvetleaf

(X)

Acer negundo

Ash-leaved maple

(X)

Amaranthus powellii

Powell amaranth

X

Amaranthus retroflexus

Redroot amaranth

X

Ambrosia artemisifolia

Common ragweed

(X)

X

Fallopia japonica

Japanese knotweed

X

Fallopia japonica x sachalinensis

(= F. x bohemica)

Hybrid knotweed

(X)

Fallopia sachalinensis

Giant knotweed

(X)

Galinsoga cilita

Hairy galinsoga

X

Galinsoga parviflora

Small-flower galinsoga

X

Heracleum mantegazzianum

Giant hogweed

(X)

X

Panicum dichotomiflorum

Fall panicum

(X)

Robinia peudacacia

Black locust

X

Solidago gigantea

Late goldenrod

X

References

Essl, F. & Rabitsch, W. (2002) Neobiota in Österreich. Federal Environment Agency. 432 pp.

Essl, F. & Rabitsch, W. (2004) Austrian Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species. Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management.

Pöckl, M., Holdich, D.M. & Pennerstorfer (2006) Identifying native and alien crayfish species in Europe. European Project Craynet. 47 pp.

Souty-Grosset, C., Holdich, D.M., Noel, P.Y., Reynolds, J.D., Haffner, P. (eds.) 2006 Atlas of Crayfish in Europe. Muséum nationale d´Histoire naturelle, Paris. 187 pp. (Patrimoines naturels, 64).

Useful home pages:

www.lebensministerium.at

www.biodiv.at

www.naturschutz.at


3. BULGARIA / BULGARIE

policiy and actions on invasive alien species in bulgaria

The invasive species are one of the highest threats to the biodiversity. They exert an influence on the environment, economy and the human health and they require active and purposive policy at all levels – international, regional and national for reaching result from the implemented activities in defense of the native species and habitats and reducing the damages over the economy.

Bulgaria participates in the common actions of the European countries in regard to the invasive species.

Legislation and policy

The legal matter, connected with the Invasive alien species in the Bulgarian legislation is established by the Biological Diversity Act and the Plant Protection Act.

 In compliance with the Biological Diversity Act, the activities concerning the introduction into wild, the import and breeding and raising of non-native animal and plant species are granted authorization by the Head of the National Forestry Board in respect to the tree, bush and game species and by the Minister of Environment and Water – in respect to all other species, provided that there will be no threat of any damage of the natural habitats and native species. With preventive aim, the Minister of Environment and Water and the Head of the National Forestry Board are granted right to ban the aforementioned activities towards some specific species by their orders. Such interdictions are still not imposed.

The phyto-sanitarian conditions for import of plants, vegetative and other products are regulated by the Plant Protection Act. The law specifies frontier stations, carrying out phyto-sanitarian control at import and export. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the authority which is in charge to ban or to limit the import of  plants and vegetative products being of great risk.

IAS are subject of the National strategy and the National action plan for biodiversity protection (2005-2010).

The policy of the country is directed toward prevention and control over the ways of penetration and spread of the IAS, information exchange and practical actions against species which are a threat on national scale. At the same time the regional connections and information exchange are developed in order to discover and to fix the problem right from the very beginning, when the chance for success is considerably higher and the necessary resources – smaller.

Actions in regard to the IAS

An assessment of the IAS has been completed in the country over plants, animals and funguses and the influence they exert on the local species and the natural habitats. As a result we have at our disposal lists of invasive and potentially invasive species and recommendations concerning the measures which are to be taken in order to reduce and suppress where it is possible their impact.

Many research centers do work on the problem with the IAS, including the thematic in their research programs. In the course of time they go deeply into their level of knowledge and they enlarge the field of research. Scientific research is done over plant species, funguses, some invertebrates (in particular Artropods), which are pests against the local species, as well as over marine and freshwater species penetrating into Black see and continental basins. List of scientific projects on IAS is presented in Annex 1.

The investigations showed that the most endangered are the aquatic-habitats habitats. The main ways of penetration of alien species are the river Danube and Black see. Alien species carry away by shipping and ballast waters, but also by unintentionally imported by the human species for cultivation in maricultures.Only in the last 6 years in the Bulgarian part of the Danube River, 3 new invasive mollusk species and one invasive fish species were found:

Ø  Corbicula fluminea – Asian mollusk species, found for the first time in 2001; currently widely distributed in the whole Bulgarian stretch of the Danube and upstream its tributaries

Ø  Anodonta (Sinanodonta) woodiana – East-Asian mollusk species newly found in 2005

Ø  Dreissena bugensis mussel species native to the Dnieper and Bug Limans of the northern Black Sea, now widely distributed in the North America; newly recorded in the Bulgarian part of the Danube River in 2006.

Ø  Perccottus glenii - a predatory fish species originated from Far East, that is rapidly increasing its range in Europe. 12 specimens were caught for the first time in the main channel of the River Danube (Bulgaria) during a period of elevated water discharge in April 2005.

It has been ascertained that during the last 10 years around 20 alien plant species settled in natural habitats have been registered.

Attention must be paid to the insects as real and potentially invasive species. They conquer easy new territories, they are flexible and their impact on the native species some times is significant. Finally, it should be noticed also the thread coming from species breeded as pets.

At the same time some special measures are implemented mainly towards invasive species with detrimental economical consequences. They are connected with a research of the biology and the ecology of the species, their natural enemies and the methods and the means for diminution of their populations as well as reducing of their harmful impact on the technological processes. It can be indicated as examples Dreisena polymorpha, Rapana tomasiana, Cameraria ochridella etc.

Measures for limiting and reducing of the spreading of invasive plant species such as Amorpha fruticosa, Fallopia japonica etc. are implemented  in some protected areas and other sensitive territories along Danube river and the Black see coast.

Meetings

·            Scientific Conference “Alien Artropods in South East Europe – crossroad of three continents” - 19-21 September 2007, Sofia

·            National Workshop on Invasive Alien Species in Bulgaria, 20-21 October 2008, Sofia

A workshop with the support of the Council of Europe and participation of Bern Convention experts has been carried out in October, 2008. Interested institutions, scientific and NGO, working on the problems of IAS has participated in the workshop. General theoretical questions related to IAS has been included in the programme, the policies at national and international level, examples from the experience of other countries, results from the investigations and projects under realization in different scientific institutions have been presented. The participants have assessed the achievements, they indicated the weaknesses and the most important priorities for the future work. They specified as difficulties the lack of common legislation base and system for reaction in frame of EC, as well as the insufficient communication, ineffective use of the possibilities of the existing data bases, the lack of indicative lists of species, which are to be banned for import or such being a threat for specific regions of Europe. 

The participants in the workshop have made proposals for future actions regarding the IAS, including development a National Strategy for IAS, ban for import/use of specific species, improvement the coordination and communications, increasing the capacity of the administration, involving the scientific potential to assess the risk from IAS, implementation of pilot-projects, awareness-raising and improvement of the regional cooperation. The full text of the conclusions is presented in Annex 2.

Conclusion

Bulgaria assesses the serious threat from IAS in ecological, economical and social aspect. So far their impact on the native ecosystems of the country is in the frame of extend realized for the continental regions of Europe. Along with the development of the economical, and transport connections, the ongoing climate changes and the increasing of the anthropogenetic impact on the nature, it is expected increasing of the adverse effect from the alien species.

In this connection, the future activities has to be directed toward increasing the prevention, support for the logistic, carrying out control and monitoring over the ways of penetration, support for the adaptive mechanisms and reducing the impact from the already established species.

April, 2009


Annex 1

List of the Scientific Projects on Invasive Alien Species

·            Fifth Framework Programme of the European Commission CONTROCAM “Sustainable Control of the horse chestnut leafminer, Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae), a new invasive pest of Aesculus hippocastanum in Europe” – Project Nr. QLK5-CT-2000-01684. (www.cameraria.de)  finished 

·            Sixth Framework Programme of the European Commission ALARM “Assessing Large-scale environmental Risk with tested Methods” (www.alarmproject.net ) – Project Nr. 506675 on-going

·            SEE-ERA. NET RESEARCH PROJECT ID 10627 Assoc. Prof. Rumen Tomov (partner) “POPULATION GENETICS OF HIGHLY INVASIVE INSECT PEST”, координатор Dr. Lopes Vaamonde

·            “Investigation on leaf-mining insects (Lepidoptera) in Bulgaria Project ВУ-АН -5/ 2005. National Scientific Fund

·            Species composition of the flea beetle (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) on Solanaceae plants in mountain and semimountain areas in Bulgaria” Project 112/07.04.2005 University of Forestry

·            Sixth Framework Programme of the European Commission DAISIE “Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe” (www.europe-aliens.org) on-going

·            SCOPES programme of the Swiss government – “Non-indigenous insects and their threat to biodiversity and economy in the Balkans” (www.cabi.org) on-going

·            Collaboration in several projects of CABI Switzerland, concerning biocontrol of alien insects

·            Collaborative project Bulgaria-China “Invasive scale insects of ornamental plants in Bulgaria and China” Trencheva, Trenchev, Tomov – ongoing 2008-2010, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China,

·            Assessment of Invasive Species in the Bulgarian Flora and Mycota and Measures to Control their Impact on the Native Species and Ecosystems (funded by the Ministry of Environment and Waters)

·            Investigation and control of species of the genus Ambrosia (Asteraceae) in Bulgaria which caused allergies (funded by the National Fund for Scientific Researches, Ministry of Education and Science)

·            Assessment of Invasive Species in the Bulgarian Fauna and Measures to Control their Impact on the Native Species and Ecosystems (funded by the Ministry of Environment and Waters)

·            Assessment of Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Infestation Risk Using GIS for Water Basins in the North-West Bulgaria (funded by the International Research Office of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, ERDC)

·            Biology and Ecology of Invasive Gobiid Species (Gobiidae, Pisces) in the Lower and Middle Danube River (together with the Czech Academy of Sciences, funded by the National Science Fund - Ministry of Education and Science and Czech Grant Agency)

·            Genetic, Biochemical, Morphological and Biological Characteristics of Populations of Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) in Bulgarian Water Basins (funded by the National Science Fund - Ministry of Education and Science)

·            Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) - wilde and invasive areals of distribution - recent knowledge, methodology and further investigations. (together with Austria, Romania, FIR of Macedonia, funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research

·            Assessment of the alien species influence on the native populations of Mugil spp. (pisces) in the Mediterranean region in connection with parasite communities (together with Spain, funded by EU, program INTAS

·            Invasive and native species of crustaceas (together with Spain, funded by EU, program CSIC)

·            Investigation of the ballast water of ships, arriving to Port Warna for determination the presence of invasive species.

·            International Action for Sustainability of the Mediterranian and Black See Environment – Specific support Actions, IASON

·            Improvement of the scientific background  for assuring sustainable develpooement in the Black Stt costal zone


Annex 2

Proposals from the participants at the

National Workshop on Invasive Alien Species in Bulgaria

Sofia, 20-21 October 2008:

1.        To develop a National Strategy on IAS: A general document with a long-term perspective and including: a legislative review, the competent authorities involved and their responsibilities, and activities to be undertaken. The National Strategy should also include an action plan with the institutional and financial frameworks, and have a focus on prevention and mitigation of impacts of IAS. The Strategy should include consideration of changes needed in the legislation concerning the key sectors for IAS: the Forestry Act, the Hunting Act, and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act.

2.        To establish a database of all alien species in Bulgaria, including invasive and non-invasive species. This database should include information on how to recognize IAS, including fact-sheets, and be linked to existing databases in Europe. The database should also include information on the IAS which present a higher risk to nature as well as information on species distribution, habitats impacted, and source of the introduction. This database should be available in Bulgarian and English, and accessible through the internet and published in the Clearing House Mechanism (on-line access).

3.        То make a list of the top ten worst invasive species in Bulgaria: including those species with the most negative economic and environmental impact in the country, and to develop urgent measures and action plans for these species, including monitoring, project development and funding, without waiting for the finalisation of the National Strategy.

4.        To urgently create a black list for IAS whose introduction should be forbidden, and linked to legislation.

5.        To establish a list of species not to be used when dealing with forestry, fisheries, horticulture or erosion. These practices should be controlled at the regional or municipal level to limit the distribution of IAS. The use of substitute native species should be encouraged.

6.        To make a list with the top ten most valuable and vulnerable habitats in Bulgaria, from a national and international perspective, and to develop special measures and concrete proposals to prevent and reduce the impact of IAS on these endangered habitats. This should be part of an inventory of habitat-specific work to enrich the database and address the impacts of IAS.

7.        To establish an on-line register of experts, including regional experts.

8.        To set up a coordinating unit/working group at the Ministry for Environment and Water, to be a focal point for the activities and projects linked to IAS, and which should include representatives of national and local authorities, scientists, NGOs, and the private sector.

9.        To increase the capacity of government officials to deal with IAS issues, including State and regional administration responsible for nature protection.

10.    To carry out pilot projects for priority IAS in order to mitigate their impact, funded through the National Environment Programme.

11.    To involve the country’s scientific capacity to assess risks, impacts on ecosystems and socio-economic effects of IAS.

12.    To carry out an extensive awareness-raising and education campaign, including media, NGO and private sector involvement. This should include the production of brochures, posters, publications, etc. to inform the public about IAS and how to recognise them, as well as their economic and environmental impacts, in order to reduce the practices linked to the introduction of IAS. Good practices on handling IAS in Bulgaria and abroad should also be disseminated. It is also critical to target teachers, children and young people in this campaign.

13.    To increase regional co-operation in the Balkans and Black Sea regions on IAS issues, under the framework of the Bern Convention, but also take part in the Biodiversity Working Group of the Black Sea Commission and cooperate in the Danube, as it is the main source of IAS in Bulgaria, through collaboration with the Secretariat of the International Commission on the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR). Further cooperation on IAS should be promoted within the operational programmes with Greece and Romania, and including in the cross-border Natura 2000 sites.


4. CROATIA / CROATIE

Follow-up report on the activities related to the implementation of the Recommendations No. 57 (1997) and No. 77 (1999) of the Bern Convention to the Bern Convention Group of Experts on Invasive Alien Species

Legal framework

Introduction of alien wild taxa into nature is regulated through provisions of the Nature Protection Act (OG 70/05, 139/08). This Act defines nature as an overall biological and landscape diversity protected on the whole territory of the Republic of Croatia, both in the areas of conserved and «wild» nature and in the built-up and economically used areas.

Introduction of alien wild taxa into nature on the territory of the Republic of Croatia (RC) is forbidden, but exceptionally it can be authorized by the competent authority (Ministry of Culture, Nature Protection Directorate) if scientifically and technically founded and acceptable from the standpoint of nature protection and sustainable management. The permit shall be issued on grounds of a study on the assessment of the risk of introduction into nature, but it is a subject to prior approval from the minister competent for agriculture, forestry and water management.

On the basis of the Nature Protection Act the two ordinances that regulate IAS problematic came into force.

Import of live specimens of alien taxa is regulated in more detail within the Ordinance on transboundary movement and trade of protected wild species (OG 34/06).

The method of preparing and implementing risk assessment studies with respect to introduction of alien wild taxa into nature is regulated in more detail within the Ordinance on the method of preparing and implementing risk assessment studies with respect to introduction, reintroduction and breeding of wild taxa (OG 35/08).

In the case of accidental introduction of alien taxa, or if there is a grounded suspicion that such introduction is to occur, the Minister shall prescribe the measures for proceeding with the scope of destroying, eradicating or preventing further propagation of introduced alien species. 

Development and implementation of the National strategy on invasive alien species as one of the Action plans foreseen by the 2nd National Strategy and Action Plan for the Protection of Biological and Landscape Diversity (NBSAP) of the Republic of Croatia (OG 143/08) is planned in 2009. NBSAP gives the current status of invasive alien species in Croatia and defines strategic objectives and action plans for their fulfilment (Chapter 3.3. Eradication of IAS).

The provisions regulating the introduction of non-native/alien species into nature are also incorporated into different regulations of other sectors:

Ø  the Hunting Act (OG 140/05) permits introduction of new wildlife species into hunting grounds (preceded by the approval of the minister competent for nature protection)

Ø  the Islands Act (OG NN 34/99, 149/99, 32/02 and 33/06) prohibits introduction and breeding of non-native game species on islands, except in enclosed hunting grounds

Ø  the Animal Protection Act (OG 135/06) prohibits setting free of pets and introduction of non-native species into nature

Ø  the Marine Fishery Act (OG 46/97, 48/05) prohibits farming of non-native fish and other marine organisms, unless permitted by competent authority (CA) for marine fishery and previously approved by the CA for environment and CA for nature protection and preceded by the opinion of authorized scientific institutions for marine research

Ø  the Freshwater Fishery Act (OG 49/05) prohibits farming and introduction of non-native freshwater fish, as well as import and trade of living specimen of these species, unless permitted by CA for freshwater fishery and previously approved by CA for nature protection, based on studies of environmental impact assessment

Ø  the Forestry Act (OG 140/05) proscribes usage of those species approved on the basis of the expert study and  recommends usage of native species in reforesting to avoid all negative impacts on nature.

Ø  Ordinance on management and supervision of water ballasts (OG 55/07, 38/08) was adopted in 2007 on the basis of the Maritime Code (OG 181/04). In the past twenty years, ballast water was recognized as the great threat and a main cause of introduction of invasive alien species, especially into marine ecosystems. The central state administration body in charge of maritime affairs is responsible for dealing this issue at national level.

Present state

Problems with IAS are known from the year 1910 when 11 specimens of Herpestes javanicus auropunctatus had been introduced on the island of Mljet. Introduction of alien species in the Adriatic Sea has probably started even earlier, but the biggest problems appeared in second part of 20th century. One part of alien species reached Adriatic by sea currents, what was provoked by changing of current system (circulation) in the Mediterranean Sea.

Some IAS have a huge negative impact on Croatian biodiversity.

·          Alien green algae in the Adriatic - Caulerpa taxifolia (M. Vahl) C. Agardh and Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskål) J. Agardh.

Caulerpa taxifolia was initially observed at three locations: Starogradski zaljev (Stari Grad Bay) and Malinska in 1994, Barbatski kanal (Barbat Channel) in 1996.

Stari Grad Bay (1994) - expanding population (main site of 70 ha and two remote sites) in spite of occasional removing/eradication activities with aim of complete eradication of remote sites and control of main site. Malinska - decreasing due to low winter temperature and eradication (size of site cca.1 m2). Barbat channel - eradicated.

Also invasive, green algae Caulerpa racemosa was first found in autumn 2000 near Pakleni Islands. By the end of 2005, this alga was observed at 43 locations from Cavtat to the island of Vis including one near Vrsar (Istria). The latest discovery was in Sedlasti bok Bay in National Park Kornati in November 2006. Eradication of Caulerpa racemosa is difficult and less effective than Caulerpa taxifolia.

·            Marine alien fish species

At least 35 new species became new elements of the Adriatic ichthyofauna until 2007, represented by 22 families out of which eight are new for the Adriatic: Hemiramphidae, Leiognathidae, Haemulidae, Siganiidae, Ipnopidae, Zoarcidae, Monacanthidae, Cylopteridae. Two new species have been recorded since 2007: Terapon theraps and Fistularia commersonni.

·          Other marine alien species

There are other marine alien species, being more or less invasive: seaslug Bursatella leachi, Melibe fimbriata, limpetlike snail Siphonaria pectinata, red algae Asparagopsis armata, Asparagopsis taxiformis, Womersleyella setacea, etc.

·            Freshwater alien fish species

During the last century at least 17 alien species of freshwater fish were introduced into rivers of the Danube and Adriatic catchments areas. The Adriatic catchments area, rich in endemic fish species, is extremely threatened in this regard. Some of invasive alien freshwater fish are Oncorhynchus mykiss, Carrasius gibelio, Lepomis gibbosus, Ameiurus melas, Gambusia affinis, Pseudorasbora parva etc. In 2008 species Percotus glehnii was recorded for the first time.


·          Other freshwater alien species

There are more freshwater invasives, especially invertebrates, such as clams Corbicula fluminea, Dreissenia polymorpha, Anodonta (Sinanodonta) woodiana, snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum, crayfish Orconectes limosus and Pacifastacus leniusculus etc.

·            Invasive alien plant species

Invasive alien plant species are considered to be one of the greatest threats to the diversity of flora and its conservation. Up to 2006, there were no organized efforts in plant invaders inventory, monitoring or appropriate actions against plant IAS in Croatia. Diverse data on distribution, taxonomy, vegetation, biology, etc. of plant IAS have been sporadically collected for centuries. Recently, within the frames of the Department of Botany (Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb) and Croatian Botanical Society, botanical basis and the majority of international standards were developed for all botanical activities, including alien plant species research and monitoring.

The first national project about invasive Croatian flora (Croatian botanical standards for IAS prevention and monitoring) started in 2006 and was financed by the State Institute of Nature Protection. The suggested strategy for invasive alien plants treatment was as follows:

1)    Adoption of national criteria and standards for terminology and categories of alien flora by botanists and other related experts;

2)    Developing the database and standard forms with required data about alien plants in Croatia;

3)    Creation of a preliminary check-list of plant IAS in Croatia;

4)    Investigation and documentation of threats posed by IAS;

5)    Management plans development and control of IAS;

6)    Dissemination of information and public sensitisation and awareness raising.

The results so far represent the realization of the first three objectives of the suggested strategy:

1)    Proposals for Croatian national standards in terminology and criteria for alien flora treatment have been completed and were published in the scientific article:

Mitić B., I. Boršić, I. Dujmović, S. Bogdanović, M. Milović, P. Cigić, I. Rešetnik and T. Nikolić (2008): Alien flora of Croatia: proposals for standards in terminology, criteria and related database. Nat. Croat., Vol. 17, No. 2: 73–90;

2)    A separate module »Allochthonous plants« was specially developed and incorporated in the Flora Croatica Database as a publicly accessible web service (http://hirc.botanic.hr/fcd/InvazivneVrste/Search.aspx);

3)    A preliminary check-list of IAS for Croatia has been created and was published in the scientific article:

        Boršić I., M. Milović, I. Dujmović, S. Bogdanović, P. Cigić, I. Rešetnik, T. Nikolić and B. Mitić (2008): Preliminary check-list of invasive alien plant species (IAS) in Croatia. Nat. Croat., Vol. 17, No. 2: 55–71.

·            Invasive vertebrate species

Special threat to islands biodiversity represent species like Mediterranean form of black rat Rattus rattus and Italian lizard Podarcis sicula, game species (fallow deer Dama dama, spotted deer Axis axis, wild-boar Sus scrofa, mouflon Ovis aries musimon and Ovis orientalis) and others.

Some of game species have negative impact on the biodiversity. For example, mouflons (Ovis aries musimon) on the Pelješac peninsula which destroy traditional grape vineyards because of lack of natural pasture, barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) which has been introduced into the Mosor mountain area, coypu (Myocastor coypus) at the Mirna river estuary etc.


Activities in 2008

·          International Symposium

2nd International Symposium “Intractable Weeds and Plant Invaders” was held from September 14 to 18, 2008 in Osijek in organisation of EWRS – European Weed Research Society and Faculty of Agriculture, J.J. Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia. Other information on the symposium (including its final programme) could be found on http://www.tera.hr/ewrs-osijek-2008/

·            Statement of Commitment to Combat Invasive Species

In May 2008 Republic of Croatia committed to the effort to combat invasive alien species, including the prevention, detection, management, and eradication of invasive alien species through the development and use of international, regional and national mechanisms.

·            Project “Monitoring of invasive Caulerpa”

Ministry of Culture continues to finance efforts on control of expansion and eradication in five marine protected areas (Brijuni, Kornati, Telašćica, Mljet and Lastovo), although eradication is possible only for small colonies and is recommended only in National Parks and areas of high biological or cultural values. Eradication is conducted at Channel Soline and Grate Lake in National Park Mljet (corral reef).

·          Project “Invasive spinycheek crayfish species in Croatia”

In order to explore the distribution of spinycheek crayfish and its impact on the population of the native Danube crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus) on the rivers Danube and Drava and adjacent Nature Park Kopački rit, as well to assess the knowledge of the local inhabitants on the invasive species and to educate them on this growing problem, the State Institute for Nature Protection has financed the project “Invasive spinycheek crayfish species in Croatia” conducted by the Association for Ecological Research “BIOSHOCK”.

The project was focused on comparison of the population size and density of native and invasive species in side channels and in main river course, comparison of the morphological characteristics of native and invasive species, trial catching of the spinycheek crayfish and assessment of the catching effort needed for the eradication of this invasive species from the side channels in order to stop the further spread to the main river course of Drava, and intensive informational and educational activities with relevant stakeholders.

The second phase of the project will follow in the 2009, with more focus on the eradication efforts and slowing down the spreading.

·            Project “Invasive invertebrate species in freshwater ecosystems of Croatia”

Faculty of Science of the University of Zagreb (project manager: Radovan Erben, Prof. PhD) is conducting a project “Invasive invertebrate species in freshwater ecosystems of Croatia”. The project is financed by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports. The goals of the project are to determine the distribution of the invasive species and the speed of spreading, to identify new invasive species, and raise public awareness on the problem. As a result, a detailed digital map on the distribution of the invasive species will be created, and a network for their monitoring and control will be established.

·            Project “Developing a management plan for alien invasive plant and animal species on the island of  Cres”

This project is financed by the donation of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Zagreb. NGO Eko-centar Caput Insulae – Beli is conducting the project. As one of the results of the project, a booklet “Alien invasive plant and animal species on the Island of Cres” was published.


·            Project “Education and research of the invasive alien species of freshwater ecosystems in Croatia

This project is financed by donation of the Ministry of Culture. NGO Kapibara is conducting this project.

In 2008 the State Institute for Nature Protection published a “Manual for inventory and monitoring of biodiversity”, which includes monitoring of invasive alien species of some freshwater fish and vascular plant species.

There is a need to organize prevention of unwanted introductions of alien species on the national level, to recognize and valorise the level of IAS impacts on native biological and landscape diversity. The identification and implementation of needed actions still require cooperation between different governmental bodies, scientific institutions, NGOs and general public, both at the national and international level.


5. ESTONIA / ESTONIE

Bern Convention Group of Experts on Invasive Alien Species

8th meeting

Estonian report on IAS in Estonia

Estonian Nature Conservation Act states that controlling the abundance of a non-native species accidentally released in the wild shall be organised by the Environmental Board (EB) (§ 57-3), The deliberate relice of non-native species is illegal (§ 57-1). EB is actively controlling the abundance of alien hogweeds (Heracleum mantegazzianum, H. sosnowskyi). To actively work with new protected or invasive species we need an actionplan as it is stated in Nature Conservation Act (§ 49-1-3): an action plan shall be prepared for controlling a species if the results of the species inventory indicate a significant negative impact to the environment caused by the increase in the population of the species, or a danger to the health or property of persons.

So to add new alien species to be controlled (and hopefully eradicated) by EB, EB or the Nature Protection department of MoE need to find competent sientist, who would write the new action plan. Actionplan includes everything from the species biology, ecology and distribution to actions required to eradicate the species and the budget of the eradication. For the writing of action plan, money needs to be applied from the Environmental Investment Centre (EIC). If we get the money the action plan will be written and it has to be approved by a board of Ministry officials and scientists. Approved actionplans are funded according to the actionplans budget.

At the moment one actionplan is being written for raccoondog. Also we are planning to investigate the usefulness and practicality of actionplans on signal crayfish and American mink.

So we are happy to say that we have means for eradication of IAS. But we have no means for rapid response. We can apply for money usually 3 times a year, we have no guaranty that we get the money. Also writing and approving of the action plan takes time. So if new and important IAS is found it takes about a year before the EB can officially take measures for its eradication.

Some times new alien species is somewhat appalling to general public, then this can be used to our advantage. For example then Spanish slug was found in Estonia in some gardens, the local house owners were really active themselves in the eradication work.


6. FINLAND / FINLANDE

IAS strategy for Finland

Both the EU and the Convention on Biological Diversity demand the Member States to prepare their national strategies concerning Invasive Alien Species. The preparation process to establish a National Strategy and an Action Plan on IAS in Finland was launched in the late 2008, and the process will be finished by the end of the year 2010. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for the preparation.

As a kick off for the work, an IAS expert seminar with around 160 participants was organized in Helsinki in October 2008. The seminar also raised a wide media and public interest which is important since one of the goals of the strategy is to increase the public awareness of the IAS problem. The symposium dealt with various aspects of species introductions: game and fisheries, horticulture, agricultural and forest pests, aliens in the Baltic Sea, aliens in the ship traffic, public information, as well as the EU strategy of Invasive Alien Species under preparation was presented.

For the preparation work of the Finnish IAS strategy, an advisory group was appointed with a wide representation of appropriate institutions and different stakeholders. The species level work will mainly be carried out in the four separate preparation subgroups concerning the Baltic Sea, inland waters, terrestrial plants and terrestrial animals.

Of alien species in Finland, the discussion has centered around the rabbit. This is mostly beacause rabbits abound in the very center of Helsinki. The population originates from pet rabbits which were either accidentally or on purpose released in mid 1980s. For 10-12 years the population remained very small but is now expanding rapidly to neighbouring cities.


7. FRANCE / FRANCE

Activités menées par la France sur les espèces exotiques envahissantes - Avril 2009

1.   Un cadre législatif et réglementaire construit

Les principales dispositions concernant les espèces exotiques envahissantes sont intégrées dans deux codes : le code de l’environnement et le code rural.

Code de l’environnement :

Ø  Protection de la faune et de la flore :

L’article L.411-3 prévoit une réglementation visant à l’interdiction d’activités (introduction, commerce de certaines espèces…) portant sur des spécimens d’espèces de faune et de flore sauvages pouvant présenter un risque d’invasion avec un impact négatif sur la biodiversité. 

Les articles R.411-1 et suivants du Code de l’environnement permettent à l’autorité administrative d’établir des listes d’espèces soumises à ces mesures. La rédaction de textes fixant les listes de ces espèces est en cours. Un premier arrêté relatif aux interdictions portant sur deux espèces de jussies est entré en vigueur en 2007. Pour la France métropolitaine, deux arrêtés interdiront prochainement certaines activités (commercialisation, introduction dans la nature, ..) portant sur d’autres espèces envahissantes de faune et de flore sauvages. Un dispositif spécifique sera mis en œuvre pour l’Outre mer français.

La réglementation relative à la faune sauvage captive comprend d’ores et déjà des restrictions de détention de spécimens d’espèces potentiellement envahissantes (deux arrêtés en date du 10 août 2004), essentiellement les tortues nord-américaines et des amphibiens. Le principe général est de soumettre à autorisations administratives la détention de spécimens d’espèces non domestiques présentant des risques, en particulier pour l’environnement. C’est le cas de la tortue de Floride qui ne peut être détenue par des particuliers. Elle est également interdite à la détention pour les établissements de vente.

Le code de l’environnement prévoit également la possibilité d’intervenir sur le terrain pour des opérations de contrôle ou de destruction de spécimens de l’espèce introduite.

Ø  Chasse et espèces nuisibles :

L’article L.427-8 du code de l’environnement prévoit la destruction d’animaux nuisibles. L’arrêté ministériel du 30 septembre 1988 modifié définit les espèces susceptibles d’être classées nuisibles par les préfets de département. Certaines espèces figurant sur cet arrêté sont des espèces exotiques envahissantes.

Ø  Pêche et protection du patrimoine piscicole :

Le code de l’environnement interdit l’introduction de certaines espèces exotiques envahissantes dans les eaux concernées. Il s’agit par exemple du poisson chat ou de la grenouille taureau.

·            Le code rural (article L251-1 et suivants et les articles réglementaires en découlant) comporte des dispositions phytosanitaires qui organisent la protection des végétaux et des produits végétaux contre les organismes qui leur sont nuisibles. Une très large partie de ces espèces est constituée d’espèces envahissantes. Le code rural comporte également les dispositions vétérinaires qui peuvent concerner des espèces exotiques envahissantes.

·            Le code de la santé publique ne vise pas directement des espèces exotiques envahissantes, mais certaines dispositions peuvent être utilisées lorsque ces espèces sont vecteurs d’agents pathogènes (bactérie, virus ou parasite).

L’article L. 3114-5 du code de la santé publique permet de définir les mesures de lutte contre les insectes vecteurs d’agents pathogènes pour l’homme. L’article R3114-9 du code de la santé publique définit les mesures susceptibles d'être prises par le préfet en vue de lutter contre les maladies humaines transmises par l'intermédiaire d'insectes. Parmi ces dispositions, figurent notamment la surveillance entomologique des insectes vecteurs (dont la surveillance de la résistance de ceux-ci aux produits insecticides) ainsi que des mesures permettant de réduire la prolifération des insectes vecteurs (actions d'information et d'éducation sanitaire de la population). Lorsque ces insectes vecteurs sont des moustiques, le dispositif législatif est complété par la loi de 1964 modifiée relative à la lutte conter les moustiques qui permet la mise en œuvre de mesures de prospection, de traitement, de travaux et de contrôles des populations de moustiques.

2.   Stratégie de mise en œuvre :

La lutte contre les espèces exotiques envahissantes ayant un impact négatif sur la biodiversité représente une politique d’importance, qui s’est traduite par des engagements forts lors du Grenelle de l’Environnement ainsi qu’au sein même de la Stratégie nationale pour la biodiversité.

Plusieurs axes d’intervention sont actuellement développés :

-             La constitution d’un réseau de surveillance des invasions biologiques représente un axe majeur, qui permet de définir les zones d’implantation de ces espèces envahissantes, d’informer les acteurs concernés et la population, de hiérarchiser, de coordonner et évaluer les actions mises en oeuvre. Le principe est de disposer d’un double réseau (l’un pour les espèces animales, l’autre pour les espèces végétales) mobilisant également les établissements publics. Son organisation doit voir le jour en 2009.

-             la prévention par la poursuite de l’élaboration de la réglementation : comme précisé ci-dessus, les arrêtés listant les espèces envahissantes vont être achevés afin de compléter celui relatif aux jussies.

-             la police de la nature : les actions de police mises en œuvre par les services de l’Etat et ses établissements publics vont être renforcées afin de prévenir et de sanctionner les infractions aux réglementations liées aux espèces exotiques envahissantes ;

-              la lutte contre les espèces envahissantes présentes sur le territoire : elle doit être opportune (évaluation des coûts/bénéfices) et reposer sur une détection rapide des nouvelles implantations d’espèces envahissantes ; cette action comporte donc à la fois la mobilisation d’une capacité d’expertise pour l’élaboration des mesures et la mobilisation des moyens pour mettre en œuvre les programmes de lutte . Une priorisation des actions de lutte selon une analyse coûts/avantages sera entreprise dès 2009. De plus, cette priorisation tiendra particulièrement compte du facteur « impact potentiel de l’EEE sur la santé humaine ».

S’agissant de la lutte contre Aedes albopictus, un plan antidissémination de la dengue et du chikungunya en France métropolitaine a été mis en place en 2006 et est régulièrement actualisé. Ce plan a pour objectif de détecter le plus précocement possible la présence du vecteur Ae. albopictus et les patients potentiellement virémiques, afin de permettre la mise en œuvre rapide et coordonnée de mesures de contrôle du vecteur et de protection des personnes. La sensibilisation et la mobilisation du public est une composante essentielle de cette lutte dite intégrée. S’agissant de la lutte contre l’ambroisie à feuilles d’armoise (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), des mesures de lutte ont été mises en place localement. Il est prévu de les renforcer et de les coordonner pour une plus grande efficacité (notamment dans le cadre du Plan national santé environnement 2).

-           la sensibilisation du public et l’animation de réseau.

Un programme particulier est développé pour les régions ultra-périphériques (Outre-Mer), du fait de la fragilité de leurs écosystèmes menacés par les invasions biologiques, surtout en milieu insulaire. C’est pourquoi, dès 2009, une stratégie spécifique est en cours d’application.

Une coordination européenne/internationale des actions de surveillance, de prévention et de lutte est nécessaire afin notamment de favoriser la synergie des actions entreprises par des pays voisis. La mise en place d’une stratégie européenne de gestion des espèces exotiques envahissantes conduirait à une plus grande efficacité des mesures de lutte engagées contre les espèces portant atteinte à la biodiversité, à l’agriculture et à la santé humaine.


8. HUNGARY / HONGRIE

Short report on Invasive Alien Species in Hungary

1.    Legal and administrative background

The Act 53/1996 on Nature Conservation in Hungary contains provisions relevant to IAS. Government Decree 71/2007 (14 April) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the Establishment of Energy Plantation of Arboreal Species. It is implemented through Decree 45/2007 (11 June) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development which lays down detailed rules regarding the establishment of energy plantation of arboreal species: in particular, Article 2 (4) establishes that introduction of Robinia pseudoacacia must not be authorised for planting in protected natural areas and non-protected Natura 2000 sites. The list of species under Ministerial Decree 45/2007 (11 June) consists of the following species: Populus alba, Populus nigra, Populus x canescens, Populus tremula, Salix alba, Salix viminalis, Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus excelsior, Fraxinus angustifolia, Acer platanoides and three non-indigenous species that are already widespread in forestry plantations in Hungary, Robinia pseudoacacia, Quercus rubra and Juglans nigra.

The most problematic of these species is Robinia pseudoacacia which as indicated, may not be authorised for planting as bioenergy plantation in protected or Natura 2000 sites (Article 2(4)). In any other cases, during the administrative procedure, it is possible to apply for subsidy for bioenergy plantation of arboreal species. Decree 72/2007 (27 July) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development sets out rules for obtaining EAFRD subsidy for the establishment of bioenergy plantation of woody plant species. Applicants are required to have all necessary permits from the authorities (e.g. permission of nature conservation authorities if the plantation is situated in a protected area and/or Natura 2000 site). The authorities may make decisions on the choice of species during that administrative procedure when the client applies for permissions to establish an energy plantation.

In parallel, Decree 71/2007 (27 July) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development sets out rules for obtaining EAFRD subsidy for the establishment of energy plantation of perennial (energy grass) plant species. Under Article 4(8), the applicant is required to prevent (localise) the spontaneous spread of the plantation. Annex 1 to this Decree specifies which plant species may be planted (1. Agropyron and Elytrigia genus, except the protected native species Agropyron elongatum and Elytrigia repens; 2. the Miscanthus genus).

The Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (operating under supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) is responsible for monitoring and carries out ‘on-the-spot’ controls. If officials find that the applicant did not respect this condition, they may require repayment of the full amount of the subsidy. It is of course not possible to check every applicant, but ARDA regularly checks the land owners.

Government Decree 91/2007 (26 June) on Determining the degree of natural damage caused and the rules for remedying the damage provides that invasive alien species must be taken into consideration during identifying the environmental elements to be monitored (Article 12(4)).

Government Decree 269/2007 (18 December) on detailed rules of maintenance of Natura 2000 grasslands has an appendix containing 15 invasive plant species: (1) Woody invasive species and non-native plant species: Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus americana, Ailanthus altissima, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Pinus nigra, Pinus silvestris, Amorpha fruticosa, Prunus serotina, Acer negundo; (2) Perennial invasive plant species: Phytolacca americana, Fallopia spp., Solidago canadensis, Solidago gigantea, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Asclepias syriaca, Echinocystis lobata.

Act 46/2008 on the Foodchain and its supervising authorities amend other decrees applying to the common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia).

The conciliation of a new Government Decree on keeping and transfer of ownership of pets have begun (2008). One of the articles will contain a list of 15 species which ecologically endanger native wildlife and natural habitats of Hungary; and specimens of these species must not be traded, offered to sale, kept or bred.

Government Decree 346/2008 (30 December) on protect of arboreal species prohibits plant the following invasive species in settlements: Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus americana, Ailanthus altissima, Amorpha fruticosa, Prunus serotina and Acer negundo except their cultivars.

The following acts contain regulation paragraph, which refer to IAS. Act 55/1996 on the Protection of Game, Game Management and Hunting; Act 61/1997 on Fisheries and Angling; Act 53/1995 on the General Regulations Concerning Environmental Protection; Act 154/1997 on Public Health.

The Act 54/1996 on Forests and the Protection of Forests is being revised during 2009. The new Act will contain lists and regulations of invasive tree and herbaceous plant species.

Control of invasive alien species is incorporated into the National Nature Conservation Master Plan (chapter 5.4.1.2.5), into the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and into some sectoral programmes such as common health, plant protection and animal husbandry.

The Ministry of Water and Environment translated the European Strategy on Invasive Alien species and published it in 2007. From the beginning of 2008 more intensive work started on species list of IAS of Hungary and developing the national strategy. However, collaboration with other ministries and creating a strong basis for the new strategy will be a big challenge and will require continuous conciliations and good coordination in the near future.

2.   Research, monitoring

The most dangerous invasive plant species for Hungarian habitats were listed (35 species) during a symposium in 1998[1]. In 2008 Hungary started to compile a new list of IAS (excluding pest species) which now consists of 40 terrestrial and 22 aquatic plant species and 73 animal species. The first version was based on data collected from researchers and conservation managers and compared to other international lists. The Ministry of the Environment then held a meeting for colleagues in the Inspectorates of Environment, Conservation and Water (conservation authorities). The list, still under discussion with experts and nature conservation authorities, will be advisory and is intended to provide a starting point to help the development of focused legislation and also to raise public awareness.

The Hungarian Biodiversity Monitoring System monitors five invasive plant species (Ailanthus altissima, Amorpha fruticosa, Asclepias syriaca, Solidago gigantea, Solidago canadensis) since 1998. The research of invasive alien plant species in aquatic ecosystems received more emphasis in the allocation of grants in 2007-2008.

In the research programme “Survey and Evaluation of the Hungarian Vegetation Heritage”  two sub programmes ”Mapping of the Hungarian Flora” as part of  the project “Mapping of the Central European Flora” and “MÉTA Programme” collected data on invasive species and IAS infestation of habitats in Hungary (Balogh et al. 2006, Botta-Dukát 2009).

3.   Management and control measures

IAS are now in species action plans and in the management plans of protected natural areas (detailed management plans exist for 135 protected areas and for 59 planned protected areas). Control is underway for several alien invertebrate species, microorganisms and weeds e.g. common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia).

The Environment and Energy Operational Programme of the New Hungary Development Plan gives opportunity to finance measures aiming to reduce populations of IAS within habitat rehabilitation and restoration projects.


In 2004 an inter-ministerial committee was set up to deal with legal and financial aspects of the control of Ambrosia artemisiifolia. The Ministry of Agriculture indicates that prevention and protection against ragweed is an administrative procedure of authorities. Land users are obliged to protect their property (land, garden etc.) from ragweed before 30 June in a given year.

4.   Public awareness, publications

Awareness-raising with specific stakeholder groups:

In spring 2008, the Ministry of Environment and Water took part in a popular exhibition (FEHOVA - Exhibition of Gun, Hunting and Angling) in Budapest and published a small leaflet about live baits for educational purposes that recommended anglers:

·            not to use non-indigenous fish species as live bait;

·            if used, not to release the bait into the wild at the end of angling;

·            if anglers caught a non-indigenous fish species, not to release it back into the wild

Books on invasive alien plant species in Hungary were published by the Office for Nature Conservation (Mihály – Botta-Dukát eds. 2004, Botta-Dukát – Mihály eds. 2006). Updated chapters were published in English (Balogh – Botta-Dukát eds. 2008). Chapters show the most important invasive plant species in Hungary. Each chapter contains the following information on taxonomy, morphology, origin, distribution, life cycle and possible protection measures.

The most important publications

Balogh, L., Botta-Dukát, Z. (2008): The most important invasive plants in Hungary. Institute of Ecology and Botany of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Vácrátót.

Balogh, L., Dancza, I., Király, G. (2008): Preliminary report ont he grid-based mapping of invasive plants in Hungary. – In: Rabitsch, W., Essl, F., Klingenstein, F. (Eds.): Biological Invasions - from Ecology to Conservation. NEOBIOTA 7: 105-114.

Botta-Dukát, Z. (2009): Invasion of alien species to Hungarian (semi-)natural habitats. – Acta Botanica Hungarica 50(1): 219-227.

BOTTA-DUKÁT  Z., MIHÁLY B. (2006): Biológiai inváziók Magyarországon. Özönnövények II Biological invasions in Hungary, Invasive Plants II. A KVVM Természetvédelmi Hivatalának Tanulmánykötetei 10. TermészetBÚVÁR Alapítvány Kiadó, Budapest. (in Hungarian) http://www.termeszetvedelem.hu/_user/downloads/invazios_fajok/ozonnovenyek.pdf

Genovesi, P. , Shine, C. (2007): Európai stratégia az özönfajok ellen (European strategy on invasive alien species, Nature and environment, No. 137 Council of Europe), Hungarian edition. Directorate of the Fertő-Hanság National Park and Ministry of Environment and Water.

Király, G., Steták D., Bányász, D. (2008): Spread of invasive macrophytes in Hungary. – In: Rabitsch, W., Essl, F., Klingenstein, F. (Eds.): Biological Invasions - from Ecology to Conservation. NEOBIOTA 7: 123-130.

MIHÁLY, B. – BOTTA-DUKÁT, Z. (eds.) (2004): Biológiai inváziók Magyarországon. Özönnövények II Biological invasions in Hungary, Invasive plants. A KVVM Természetvédelmi Hivatalának Tanulmánykötetei 9. TermészetBÚVÁR Alapítvány Kiadó, Budapest. (in Hungarian)
http://www.termeszetvedelem.hu/_user/downloads/invazios_fajok/%F6z%F6nn%F6v%202.pdf

Puky, M., Ács, É., Bódis, E., Borza, P., Kiss, K. T., Tóth, A. (2008): Invasive algae, plant, bivalve and crustacean species along the Hungarian Danube section: arrival time, colonisation characteristics, relative importance. Proceedings of the 37th IAD Conference, 29.10-1.11.2008, Chisinau, Moldova, pp. 76-81.

Invasive Alien Species in Hungary (booklet)

http://www.termeszetvedelem.hu/_user/downloads/invazios_fajok/invazivfajok.pdf

Invasive plant species in Hungary: Özönnövények Magyarországon (poster, in Hungarian)

http://www.termeszetvedelem.hu/_user/downloads/invazios_fajok/plakat2.pdf

Homepage http://www.termeszetvedelem.hu/

Contact:

Mr István Dancza, Ph.D.

State Secretariat for Nature and Environment Protection

Ministry of Environment and Water

H-1011 Budapest, Fő u. 44-50.

Phone: 0036-1-457-3300 / 233

Fax: 0036-1-201-4617

E-mail: [email protected]


9. ICELAND / ISLANDE

Recent work with respect to IAS control in Iceland

1.   NOBANIS

Iceland has remained active in the North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species (NOBANIS); in establishing the NOBANIS data base and in preparing fact-sheets for some of the worst alin specis.

2    Revision of the Importations of Animals Act

Recent changes to the Importations of Animals Act make applications for import of new animal species more difficult. Accordingly, every new application for import of life animals must include an assessment of environmental risks involved if the new animal is accidentally released into the wild. Further instructions on how this risk accessmet is to be conducted will be detailed in a regulation made by the Minister of Agriculture under advice from the Minister of the Environment.

3.   Experimental project for eradication of the American mink 2007–2009

The American mink (Mustela vison) escaped from mink-farms in the early 1930s and has since spread and become established in the entire lowlands of the country. 

Iceland the Ministry for the Environment and the Environment Agency are engaged in a three year experiment, started in 2007, to establish the feasibility of eradication mink from two geologically different areas–Eyjafjördur, a fjord with long valleys, in the north of Iceland and Snæfellsnes, a mountainous peninsula and small islands, in west Iceland. The results of this project will be used to evaluate the feasibility (effort and cost needed) of eradicating mink in the whole country.

4.   Control of Nootka lupine and Cow parsley

The Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis) and cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) are two of the worst alien plant species in Iceland. There are currently two projects focusing on these species: a) control of Nootka lupine  in the Skafafell National Park, southern Iceland, by sheep grazing and mechanical cutting,  b) control of lupine and cow parsley in Hrisey-island, northern Iceland, by mechanical cutting and herbicide treatment (Fig 1).

Sláttur1

Fig 1. Mechanical cutting of stands of Nootka lupine (above) and cow parsley (below) in Hrisey-island, northern Iceland in 2007.


10. IRELAND / IRLANDE

National Report - Ireland

Bern Convention Group of Experts on Invasive Alien Species

Legislation:

        The Wildlife Act 1976 and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 are the primary pieces of legislation containing provisions in relation to invasive alien species in Ireland. It is prohibited, without licence,

·            to release, wilfully cause to escape or transfer within the State for the purpose of establishment in the wild any species of wild animal or spawn and any wild bird or the eggs thereof;

·            to transfer any species of wild animal or wild bird or the eggs of such a wild bird from any place in the State to any other place in the State for the purpose of establishing it in a wild state in such other place

·            to plant or otherwise cause to grow in a wild state in any place in the State any species of flora, or the flowers, roots, seeds or spores thereof.’

The Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 strengthened the legal basis for controlling the introduction of potentially invasive alien species. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may issue regulations prohibiting possession or introduction of any species of wild bird, animal or flora, or part, product or derivative thereof that may be detrimental to native species. Where an alien species has been introduced, measures can be taken, as far as feasible and appropriate under the Wildlife Act, to ensure that such introductions do not pose a potential hazard to native species.

A review has been undertaken by the "Invasive Species in Ireland Project" of legislative provisions relating to invasive species in Ireland and their enforcement which has made recommendations for improvements.  The review, which was published in 2008, evaluated legislation in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and recommended legislative changes in both jurisdictions in order to address the increasing threats of invasive species on the island of Ireland.

Recent developments in legislation include Regulations made in relation to muntjac deer.  In response to confirmed reports of muntjac deer in Co. Wicklow, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government signed Regulations in September 2008 declaring a 12 month open season on muntjac deer.    The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is also examining the appropriate regulatory measures to be taken to control the possession and dispersal of ecologically harmful and invasive species of plants and animals in Ireland. It is expected that this issue will be addressed in regulations to be made under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 later this year.

Policy:

A proposal for addressing the impact of invasive alien species on native biodiversity has been published in The National Biodiversity Plan for Ireland (2002-2006). For example:

Ø  Action 28: ‘Prepare strategies, in consultation with Northern Ireland, to control introduced species and to prevent, or minimise, future (accidental or deliberate) introduction of alien species, which might threaten biodiversity. Unless clearly safe, all deliberate introductions of alien species into Ireland will require a risk assessment’. 

Ø  Action 29: ‘All public bodies will endeavour to use native species, landraces and breeds and the public will be encouraged to do so’.


Ø  Action 30: ‘Ireland will seek to ensure that relevant laws and instruments, including those concerned with trade, - both within the EU and internationally -do not contribute to the problem posed by alien species and Ireland and will support the development of specific international instruments to address alien species’.

The current National Biodiversity Plan which was published in 2002 is under review and the area of invasive species is a key theme that will receive particular attention.   A new Plan is due for publication later in 2009.

All Ireland Strategy on Invasive Species

Ireland is developing and implementing measures to tackle IAS in partnership with the Northern Ireland administration.  A review of invasive species in Ireland was jointly commissioned by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service.  This report was presented to both Ministers in March 2004 and it was agreed that both agencies (Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland and NPWS in the Republic of Ireland) would work together and with others to tackle the invasive species problem. In response to the recommendations of this report the ‘Invasive Species in Ireland’ project started in May 2006 and runs until May 2009.  Full details of the project can be found on www.invasivespeciesireland.com.  The budget for this project is €280,000.

The Invasive Species in Ireland project has the following aims:

1.    Reducing the risks of invasions of new species

2.    Developing contingency plans in conjunction with stakeholders

3.    Producing management plans to help control and manage new and established invasive species and vectors

4.    Engaging key stakeholders

5.    Developing codes of good practise in conjunction with stakeholders

6.    Raising public awareness

7.    Recommending surveillance, monitoring and recording programmes

8.    Reviewing legislation

A risk assessment protocol has been developed and over 600 risk assessments have been carried out on established and potential invasive species to identify those species that pose the greatest threat to biodiversity on the island of Ireland.  Exclusion strategies, contingency plans and management strategies are being prepared for these species.  The highest risk to biodiversity in Ireland is from freshwater invasive species, in particular ornamental pond plants and fish.

Exclusion strategies and contingency plans have been prepared for non-native crayfish species, wild boar and non-native deer (muntjac, Chinese water deer and roe deer) and Japanese kelp.  Management plans have been prepared for the invasive tunicate Didemnum, chub, floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) and ruddy duck.  Management plans currently in preparation include those for invasive mammals on seabird islands, giant rhubarb, Hottentot fig, New Zealand pigmyweed, fringed water lily, parrot’s feather and Chinese mitten crab.  There are a number of widely established species for whom island wide eradication is impossible so best practice management guidelines have been prepared along with templates for the development of site specific management plans.  These include Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsalm, giant hogweed and Rhododendron ponticum and cherry laurel.  All strategies and guidance documents are available on the website. 

Codes of Practice are also being developed in conjunction with relevant sectors.  The Horticulture COP is complete and COPs for the aquaculture sector and recreational water users are in development.

An extensive stakeholder engagement programme has been underway for the last three years years, one element of which is the All-Ireland Invasive Species Forum, this forum meets annually and has over 100 organisations involved including central and local Government, state agencies, industry, academia and the NGO sector.  An Invasive Species Conference was also held in November, 2008 in order to review progress on the project.   There are four technical working groups on marine, freshwater, terrestrial invasive species and education and awareness.  Details on Forum membership and activities can be found on the Invasive Species in Ireland website.  Education and awareness materials have been produced and are available for download from the site.  In addition to this, invasive species will be the focus of Ireland’s biodiversity awareness campaign Notice Nature (www.noticenature.ie) this year and materials for schools and the construction, business and tourism sectors are being developed.    

A review of the project has been undertaken by NPWS and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (formally the Environment and Heritage Service) and it has been decided to tender for a new three year contract for the project from May 2009.

Research:

The National Research Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology in Northern Ireland (Quercus) (http://www.quercus.ac.uk) has some projects on IAS: ‘All-Ireland review of introduced species’ (a cross-border project) and ‘Impacts of invasive aquatic amphipods’. A report on the situation of invasive alien species in Ireland was carried out by Quercus (2004). Ireland is represented in the DAISIE and ALARM project teams.

The Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Science, Technology, Research & Innovation for the Environment (STRIVE) Programme 2007 – 2013 has funded a €280,000 project on alien invasive species in Irish waterbodies.  This project will address the knowledge gap identified under the Water Framework Directive for alien invasive species in Ireland’s River Basin Districts, and produce a monitoring and reporting strategy. This will be achieved by: literature review of impacts on natural ecosystems, vectors, spread potential and control options; analysis of impacts of selected invasive species on structure and function of natural ecosystems (primarily by innovative studies of impacted and non-impacted foodwebs using stable isotopes in exemplar waterbodies); and preparation of an archived GISbased database of aquatic aliens in Ireland.  This project is being carried out by a consortium of Queens University Belfast, EnviroCentre, the Central Fisheries Board and the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

Research is also being carried out into the impacts of curly leaved waterweed (Lagarosiphon major) in Lough Corrib (Central Fisheries Board), control of giant rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria) on Clare island (National Botanical Gardens) and there are a range of projects on the zebra mussel invasion and impacts on Irish lakes. 

Eradication/control programmes:

Active control programmes for Rhododendron ponticum and Heracleum mantegazzianum are in place. Some control measures have been undertaken in Killarney National Park where introduced Sika deer have interbred with Red deer. Eradication is not feasible for Grey squirrel which have reached pest status in some localities.

Control programmes are underway for Lagarosiphon major, Hydrocotyle ranunculoides and zebra mussels.  There are smaller site specific control projects, many of which are now being undertaken by local authorities in Ireland.       In relation to Lagarosiphon major NPWS has funded the purchase by the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) of a weed cutting boat to be dedicated exclusively to removing the invasive species from Lough Corrib in County Galway.  Additional funding of €200,000 has also been provided by the NPWS to the CFB in 2008 for work involving the removal and control of the species in the lake. The Central Fisheries Board has also secured over €700,000 under the EU LIFE+ programme to cover a 4-year period from 2009 to 2013 to target the control of Lagarosiphon and the restoration of natural communities in Lough Corrib. The project will also exchange and disseminate information on control methods and progress through links with other European control teams and policy makers.   NPWS is providing matching funding for this project.

In addition a project is underway to investigate measures for the control of Gunnera tinctoria on Achill Island in Co. Mayo.  The project is funded by Mayo County Council and by NPWS through the Biodiversity Fund which is administered by the Heritage Council.    Gunnera tinctoria is a large herbaceous plant that forms dense colonies that shade out and suppress native vegetation. This species is a vigorous seeder and also has the ability to spread vegetatively.   Intense effort is required to control this species. 

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Dublin

Ireland


11. ITALY / ITALIE

Italian Report for the Expert Meeting of the Bern Convention on Invasive Alien Species

Brijuni (Croatia), 5th -7th of May 2009

Background

The issue of Invasive Alien Species is acquiring increasing importance due also to the great threat these species pose to global biodiversity conservation and to the achievement of the ‘2010 biodiversity target’.

The presence of these species and their management represent a challenge for the involved stakeholders, since they have to face many difficulties related with the invasion  and dispersal ability natural to these species, with the human dimension and the social context where the possible removal of the species has to be carried out.

The Bern Convention Secretariat has issued various recommendations to the Parties, urging them to draft and implement national legislation and policies and to start with monitoring and control programmes, in order to limit the dispersal of invasive alien species.

Some of these recommendations were specifically addressed to Italy  (n. 78/1999; n. 114/2005; n. 123/2007), being ascertained the presence, in some north Italian regions, of the non native species Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), posing a serious threat to the survival of the native Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and most likely to invade the neighbouring territories of Switzerland and France in the near future.

Italian legislative framework on Invasive Alien Species

The National Decree “D.P.R. n. 357/1997” and its amendments (D.P.R. n. 120 of 2003) contain provisions prohibiting the introduction of alien species in Italy. The Decree 357/97 transposes the Habitat Directive and states in Article 12(3) that introductions of ‘non-local’ species require the authorisation of the Ministry of Environment, under the condition that the proposed introduction will not threaten biodiversity. Article 12 of the subsequent amendment “D.P.R. 120/2003” forbids any introduction of alien species in Italy.

Guidelines for the application of this provision have been produced ( “Linee guida per l’immissione di specie faunistiche” – Guidelines for reintroducing wildlife” AA. VV., 2007) and will be soon included in a Ministry of Environment Decree.

National Law 157/1992 applies to all mammal and bird species of which wild populations are permanently or temporarily established on the national territory, this definition also encompasses alien species, therefore the protection/control measures outlined in the Law are to be applied to IAS as well, though no clear reference to IAS is made in Law 157/92.

In particular Article 20 regulates the introduction from abroad into the Italian territory of live species of mammals and birds for reintroduction and genetic improvement; clear mention is made to the forbid of using non-local species, being this procedure subject to an import permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and to an opinion of the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (I.S.P.R.A.).

Article 19 provides for specific management and control measures for those species (including IAS) that may threaten genetic selection of native species, agriculture and forestry productions and public health.

There is also a specific Law (150/92) which contains provisions on the keeping of potentially dangerous mammals and reptiles species (including non native species).

Moreover in Italy, each region (of 20) can make internal legislation and there are some regional laws that have provisions on IAS.

General information on Invasive Alien Species in Italy

Italy is participating in the DAISIE and ALARM projects. The Central Institute for Applied Marine Research is carrying out projects such as identification and distribution of alien species in Italian seas.

LIFE projects had an important role for the management of IAS. In 2003 the 64 per cent of Italian projects funded through the LIFE mechanism had as main objective the eradication and control of IAS. In the period 1994-2002 the following alien species were targeted through 27 LIFE projects:

Plant species:

Abies cephalonica, Acacia cianophylla, Acer negundo, Ailanthus altissima, Amorpha fruticosa, Caulerpa taxifolia,  Cedrus sp., Eucaliptus sp., Laserpitium niger, Lonicera japonica, Mesembryanthemum acinaciforme, Nelumbo nucifera, Pinus halepensis, Phytolacca americana, Pinus pinaster, Platanus spp., Populus hybrida,  Prunus serotina, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus rubra, Robinia pseudoacacia, Solidago canadensis, Solidago gigantean.

Animal species:

Canis lupus familiaris, Carassius carassius, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Dama dama, Ictalurus melas, Lepomis gibbosus, Myocastor coypus, Procambrus clarkii, Rana catesbeiana, Silurus glanis, Trachemys scripta.

The Ministry of Environment has produced an action plan for freshwater fishes (2003), and guidelines for the management and control of Myocastor coypus (2001) and Sciurus carolinensis (2001).

Guidelines for exotic mammals and birds management were also published in 2001 by the same Ministry. (“Mammiferi ed Uccelli esotici in Italia: analisi del fenomeno, impatto sulla biodiversità e linee guida gestionali – Exotic mammals and birds in Italy: analysis, biodiversity impact and management guidelines”;  Andreotti A., N. Baccetti, A. Perfetti, M. Besa, P. Genovesi, V. Guberti, 2001 -. Quad. Cons. Natura, 2, Min. Ambiente - Ist. Naz. Fauna Selvatica.)

Ø  The Grey squirrel situation

The Grey squirrel diffusion in some territories of northern Italy dates back to the early 1960s and even before as a consequence of intentional introductions for ornamental purposes.

The threat the species can pose to local biodiversity has become evident by the end of the 1990s, period in which the first data collection and monitoring programmes have been carried out, in order to assess the population dimension and its dispersal.

Main threats the Grey squirrel represent are, besides possible damages to forest vegetation and productions, a strong competition with the native Red squirrel and the spreading of the Monkeypox Disease, fatal to the Red squirrel.

The legislative framework, as already mentioned, provides, under Art. 19, for the control of fauna whenever it could threaten agricultural and forestry productions, favour the spreading of infectious diseases and to protect  biological selection of native species.

This Law empowers regional authorities to implement control measures, involving also the other local authorities (Provinces), responsible of the removal of the species.

Ø   Grey squirrel policy evolution

After the first recommendation of the Bern Convention Standing Committee on the conservation of the Red squirrel in Italy was adopted (1999), it was clear, to the Ministry of Environment (national authority responsible for the implementation of the Convention), the need to investigate the status of the Grey squirrel in northern Italy.

Various meetings were convened since then, especially with Lombardia regional authorities, but unfortunately they gave very few results.


The crucial point of discussion was turning around the legal responsibilities of the national authority compared with those of the regional authorities.

The result was a conflict which paralyzed any possible action.

The main obstacle to come to a shared solution was the emerging of a strong  and problematic human dimension.

In all circumstances the Italian Grey squirrel populations originated from intentional releases for ornamental purposes; the species has always been considered by local communities as a sort of half domesticated pet representing the closeness of humans to nature.

This general feeling has been very easily made instrumental to some lobbies and animal rights associations, responsible of raising hostility in the wider public against any possible action of removal of the squirrels from the territory.  

To overcome this dangerous situation, the Ministry of Environment has recently decided to promote the establishment, among all the involved stakeholders, of a permanent working group on the Grey squirrel management. The Working Group has drafted a Memorandum of Understanding containing a proposal of actions, policy measures, funding provisions and timeline.

The Ministry of Environment, in particular, has agreed to finance an information campaign on the Grey squirrel and to start the process for issuing a Decree (in consultation with other three Ministries) on the prohibition of import (introduction on national territory) and trade of the Grey squirrel and other non native squirrels.

The Working Group has already met twice (on the 5th of March and on the 2nd of April), the MoU has been presented in its final draft on the 20th of April and it is expected to be signed during the next meeting of the Working Group, scheduled before the end of May.


12. MALTA / MALTE

Short Written Contribution on IAS Work by Malta

Information provided by the Ecosystems Management Unit,

Malta Environment and Planning Authority, MEPA

2009

Legal Framework

The implementation of national legislation incorporating provisions on the prevention, regulation and control of alien and invasive species has continued, in line with requirements of the Bern Convention, other multilateral environmental agreements and related EU policy.

Implementation of Regulation 6(1) on “Species endangering biological identity, ecosystems or other species” and Regulation (2) on “Responsibility of the individual” of the Trade in Fauna and Flora Regulations, 2004 (LN 236 of 2004) has continued, thereby effectively regulating the importation of invasive species into Malta from non-EU countries. LN 236 of 2004 implements and enforces Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein, which in turn implements the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Regulation 6(1) of LN 236 of 2004 prohibits the importation, exportation, re-exportation and possession of any species of fauna and flora, if in the opinion of the CITES Scientific Authority and CITES Management Authority such transactions or possession would endanger the biological identity or any ecosystem or any species of fauna and flora in Malta. While processing CITES applications and endorsing Import Licences and Customs entry forms, (with particular attention to live specimens), the CITES Management Authority (within the Malta Environment and Planning Authority) refers any new species encountered to the CITES Scientific Authority for an assessment of the potential for invasiveness such species might exhibit if present in the Maltese Islands. To accomplish such an assessment, the CITES Scientific Authority has designed a table which requests data with regard to:

§   Scientific Name;

§   Zoogeographic region;

§   Natural distribution (countries or geographic regions);

§   Countries in which the species occurs in the wild as an alien (if any);

§   Habitat of the species;

§   Maximum and minimum temperature ranges for survival in the wild;

§   Maximum and minimum temperature ranges for reproduction in the wild;

§   Maximum and minimum salinities for survival in the wild (for aquatic species);

§   Any notes of relevance to distribution and survival out of natural range;

§   Feeding type  and food (if known) of the species; and

§   References.

This table must be filled by the applicant in order to facilitate the risk assessment process. Species which in the opinion of the CITES Scientific Authority are deemed to be potentially invasive species are black listed and added to a database which is continuously updated. This list is validated by national scientific experts representing the CITES Scientific Authority. This assessment is done to implement Regulation 6 of LN 236 of 2004.

The Trees and Woodland Protection Regulations, 2001 (LN 12 of 2001 which addresses alien species under Regulations 10 and 14) shall be repealed and replaced by a new legislation which is undergoing national consultation and which can be viewed at the following link: http://www.mepa.org.mt/planning/factbk/GNs/gn682_08.pdf. Such repeal is being carried out consequent to recent administrative changes, newly acquired scientific knowledge as well as to apply experiences gained in implementing the legislation over the last seven years. The proposed legislation includes a schedule listing species deemed to be causing damage to biological diversity of trees or woodlands in Malta, or to the natural environment in general. Unless authorised, no person shall propagate, sow, plant, import, export, transport, sell or exchange any of these species. The revised schedule extends the list of species under LN 12 of 2001. It must be noted that none of the species entered in the said list are being actively used in landscaping, since the Regulations were drafted in collaboration with garden shops, nurseries, botanic gardens, the University of Malta and relevant governmental and non-governmental institutions and organisations, which are aware of the invasive nature of these species in the Maltese islands.

Strategy and Action Plans

Invasive Alien Species, as one of the main drivers of biodiversity change, is one of the main topics being addressed in the development of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). This is an ongoing process, which shall lead to the development of a suite of strategic directions and tailored actions specifically addressing biological invasion within the Maltese Islands.

Collecting, Managing and Sharing Information

The study on the “Setting up of a list of Alien Fauna in the Maltese Islands” commissioned by MEPA, has drawn to completion. A tender report has been submitted and is pending review. Information extracted from this study along with the similar study on alien flora, shall be entered into a national database that shall be available to the public once finalised.

Action to combat the adverse effects of Alien Species

Control of the spread of invasive plants by managers within protected areas, combined with, monitoring to assess progress and effectiveness of the measures adopted, as well as planting of native species as appropriate, has continued:

§  removal of Opuntia ficus-indica and Acacia spp. on the clay slopes at Ghajn Tuffieha; the native species Lygeum spartum and Inula crithmoides are being planted on the clay slopes as part of the phase out programme; 

§  removal of Arundo donax and Vitis vinifera from the sand dunes at ir-Ramla Area;

§  removal of Agave species from Ramla Tat-Torri/Rdum tal-Madonna Area.

Post-eradication monitoring of Rattus norvegicus from Il-Gzejjer ta' San Pawl/Selmunett (the St Paul’s Islands Nature Reserve), which exclusively harbours the endemic sub-species of Maltese Wall Lizard - Podarcis filfolensis kieselbachi, has confirmed the effectiveness of the 2006 rat eradication programme, as no re-invasions have been noted. Natural habitats on site are now also showing signs of recovery.


13. POLAND / POLOGNE

STATUS OF WORK WITH IAS IN POLAND 2007-2009

REPORT TO THE BERN CONVENTION

Building awareness and support

The level of public awareness of biological invasions and support for solving this problem improves in Poland. For instance, for the past few years there has been a growing concern about the invasion of an alien butterfly, chestnut leaf miner Cameraria ohridella. The invasion was widely publicized in media. As a result, many campaigns were organised to control the species in different places of the country and by different stakeholders (local governments, NGOs) with a remarkable level of participation from the general public.

In 2008, a new portal on alien animals in Poland was opened in the Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences (www.iop.krakow.pl/gatunkiobce ). The portal includes detailed profiles on 120 alien animals in the Polish fauna, analyses of trends of biological invasions in Poland and recommendations aiming at reducing the problem. The recommendations are closely linked to European Strategy on IAS. There have been nearly 46 000 visits to the portal by now. The information from the portal will be published in 2009 as a 2-voulme book.

In 2009, a new portal Alien Species in Poland was launched by the Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences (www.iop.krakow.pl/ias ). Its main element is the database on alien species. There are also news on biological invasions and other resources available. Over 2 months of its operation, the portal received nearly 3,500 visits.

Collecting, managing and sharing information

The online database “Alien species in Poland” (http://www.iop.krakow.pl/ias/Baza.aspx) has been developing since 1999 at the Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences. Currently there are 1060 species in the database. The level of detail in species accounts in the database ranges from just speciesname, to comprehensive datasheets. Some information is only available in Polish at the moment - it will be translated into English soon. In future, new alien species will be added to the database and data concerning the species already recorded will be updated.

The database contributes regional exchange of information on alien species and to regional cooperation in order to solve the problem. It was included in the NOBANIS project (www.nobanis.org) and used to provide information to the EU-funded project DAISIE (www.europe-aliens.org). The new structure of the database was developed according to recommendations by Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN), therefore the Polish data will be easily shared at the global level in future.

There is an ongoing work in a number of academic centres to study the specific impact of different invasive alien species in Poland. Recent projects include research into adverse effect of an Asiatic nematode Asworthius sidemi upon European bison Bison bonasus, testing the level of hybridisation between Asiatic sika deer Cervus nippon and native red deer Cervus elaphus, and assessing the threat from IAS in Polish national and landscape parks.

Strengthening national policy, legal and institutional frameworks

In 2007 the Council of Ministers adopted the National Strategy for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity with the Action Plan for 2007-2013. It includes some needs and priorities related to biological invasions:

·         Recording and monitoring of alien species and exploring the sources and routes of their expansion, impact on native species and ecosystems special and economic effects of that impact.

·         Working out the principles and programme for preventing introductions, elimination, control of spreading and control of numbers of alien species, in particular those which pose the most serious threat to native resources of biological diversity.

·         Implementation of the programme for preventing introductions, elimination, control of spreading and control of numbers of alien species, in particular those which pose the most serious threat to native resources of biological diversity.

Under the National Strategy, institutions taking part in activities aiming at reduction in adverse effects of alien species and possible sources of financing those activities were identified, and institutions coordinating them (Ministry of the Environment) were indicated. The Action Plan estimates the costs and possible sources of financing tasks related to reducing the threat posed by IAS in the period 2007-2013 at approx. 3,500,000 PLN (approx. € 830,000).

In 2008, a new Nature Conservation Act was adopted. For the first time in the Polish legislation, a definition of alien species was introduced, close to the definition recommended by the CBD and Bern Conventions. More comprehensive regulations were introduced for import, keeping and trade of invasive alien species. A new decree is currently being developed to determine the list of alien species subjected to these restrictions. Another decrees under development are relevant to most invasive alien mammals and regulate live-trapping and hunting seasons.

The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for amending Inland Fisheries Act that regulates introduction of alien fish species into freshwater. The project prepared in 2008 took into consideration the Council Regulation (EC) No 708/2007 of 11 June 2007 concerning use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture.

Regional cooperation and responsibility

Poland contributes to regional cooperation and responsibility in IAS-related issues, including participation in NOBANIS and DAISIE projects, and the Carpathian Convention and HELCOM. Trans-border initiatives include cooperation with Germany on resolving IAS-issues in the lower Oder river basin.

Prevention

Use of alien species in forestry is regulated and controlled through forest breeding principles, which regulate share of alien species. The amendments in the new Nature Conservation Act will contribute to preventing introduction new invasive alien species that are imported, kept and traded.

Early Detection and Rapid Response

There are remarkable examples of early detection in Poland, including finding a ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Baltic waters in 2007. However, a comprehensive system of early detection and rapid response is not yet introduced for biological invasions threatening biological diversity. Over the past few years some new alien species established in Poland, including Canada goose Branta canadensis and Aegyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiacus.

Mitigation of impacts

Alien mammals are controlled by hunting but with limited success. Two alien species of crayfish and three alien species of fish are subject to control in accordance with the Ordinance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. There are local initiatives to mitigate impacts from e.g. chestnut leaf-miner Cameraria ohridella, Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica, and Giant Hogweed Heralcleum mantegazzianum.

Restoration of native biodiversity

There are local projects to restore native species affected by biological invasions, including restoration of native noble crayfish Astacus astacus. This includes limiting the spread of the alien Signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus and Striped crayfish Orconectes limosus.



14. NORWAY / NORVEGE


Invasive Alien Species (IAS) - Relevant activities in Norway

Report to the Secretariat of the Bern Convention, 2009

One major achievement in the work on IAS in general in Norway has been the production of a cross-sectoral strategy on IAS, involving ten different Ministries, and led by the Ministry of Environment (ref. “Strategy on Invasive Alien Species”, Min. of Environment 2007, 56 pp.) An English translation of this strategy can be downloaded from www.government.no by typing T 1460 E in the search field.

Norway’s policy is that each sector is responsible for the environmental impacts of its own activities. The strategy describes Norway’s goals and principles for dealing with alien species and specific measures that will be implemented in all relevant administrative sectors. The strategy is intended to ensure that there is a common understanding and a consistent way of dealing with Download the strategy documentproblems relating to alien species, regardless of which sector is affected or is responsible for addressing the problems.

The strategy focuses on new measures and does not describe activities and measures that have already been carried out and completed. It is also intended to provide a basis for coordinated development of measures and instruments in the longer term.

The Government has based its strategy on the precautionary principle. The main focus is on efforts to prevent alien species from being introduced to Norway. We will also follow a restrictive approach to granting permission for the intentional introduction of alien species. We will intensify efforts to control and contain and, if appropriate, eradicate alien species that are a threat to Norwegian biodiversity or to commercial activities based on natural resources and the environment.

This strategy does not deal with disease control measures within the health sector, where alien species have impacts for primarily on human health and not on animal health or biodiversity. Nor does it apply to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), for which Norway has established legislation and cooperation routines under the Gene Technology Act.

Besøksadresse:

Tungasletta 2

Postadresse:

N-7485 Trondheim

Telefon:

73 58 05 00

Telefaks:

73 58 05 01

Videokonferanse:

73 90 51 40

Internett:

www.dirnat.no

E-post:

[email protected]


Another important publication is “The 2007 Norwegian Black List. Ecological Risk Analysis of Alien Species”, Artsdatabanken 2007 (151 pp), which has been produced by the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre. The Black List is an overview of ecological risk analyses for a selection of the alien species recorded in Nor-way. A risk analysis has been performed for 217 of the 2483 listed alien species. The risk ana-lyses have been carried out by a team of experts composed of scientists from six research insti-tutions. A total of 93 species have been placed in the High risk category, 83 in the Unknown risk category (owing to inadequate information) and 41 species in the Low risk category.

This publication (which also includes a description of the procedure used for the risk assessment) is available from www.biodiversity.no. Further information on alien species from the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre may be found on the website http://www.biodiversity.no/ThemePage.aspx?m=148.

Within nature management the Directorate for Nature Management (DN) in Norway has a special responsibility for following up several of the national goals described in the National strategy. The work on IAS in DN was reorganized in 2004, starting with the establishment of a new “Team for Invasive Species”, with a total of 11 members from various sections in the DN. The Team initiates and coordinates activities against invasive alien species.

Relevant publications

Some relevant research papers have been ordered by the DN:

Ø  Three scientific institutions were in 2005 asked to describe effects of alien plants, including alien tree species, on a) indigenous flora; b) the agricultural landscape; and c) forest ecosystems: DN-utredning 2005-6. Changes in the Norwegian flora. (In Norwegian; 21 pp)

Ø  Fremstad, E. & Elven, R. 2006. The large Heracleum species in Norway. - NTNU Rapport botanisk serie 2006-2 (in Norwegian; 35 pp)

Ø  Sæthre, M.-G., Hermansen, A. & Nærstad, R. 2006. Economic and Environmental impacts of the introduction of Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) and Potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) to Norway. – Bioforsk Report vol. 1, no. 64, 2006

Ø  Staverløkk, A. & Sæthre, M.-G. 2007. Stowaways in imported horticultural plants: alien and invasive species – assessing their bioclimatic potential in Norway. - Bioforsk Report, vol. 2, no. 66, 2007; 70 pp

Ø  Melis, C., Nordgård, H., Herfindal, I., Kauhala, K., Åhlén, P.-A., Strann, K.-B. & Andersen, R. 2007. Raccoon dogs in Norway – potential expansion rate, distribution area and management implications. - NTNU Zoologisk rapport 2007-3; 49 pp

Ø  Gjershaug, J.O., Rusch, G.M., Öberg, S. & Qvenild, M. (2009; in press). Alien species and climate in Norway. – NINA Report 468. [This report presents predicted distribution patterns of selected aquatic, terrestrial and marine alien species in a changes climatic regime in Norway]

Ø  A research activity expected to be finally reported during 2009 is made by the research institution “Bioforsk” and is concentrating on developing optimal methods for eradication of the Japanese rose Rosa rugosa


Relevant support to various organisations

Other relevant activities initiated or supported by the DN have included budgetary support since 2005 to various municipalities, regional authorities and NGOs in their effort to eradicate, control or reduce the negative impacts of invasive plant and/or animal species. Examples of relevant activities here are:

Ø  Collaboration with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration on a strategy against alien and invasive plant species along roads

Ø  Inclusion of invasive alien species in the Norwegian National Programme on Mapping and Monitoring of Biological Diversity since 2008.  € 150 000 was used for this purpose in 2008. The main focus is on including mapping and monitoring of IAS in already existing activities

Legislation work and information activities

Norway has developed regulations to control, and possibly to eradicate, particularly harmful and/or problematic invasive alien species. One example is the active role Norway has been playing in establishing effective regulations against the spread of IAS through international shipping in the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments which was signed in February 2004. Norway ratified this Convention in October 2006. A new Regulation to accommodate the requirements of this Convention into Norwegian legislation is expected to be finalised soon.

Work on new regulations on import of aquatic organisms (“the aquarium regulation”) and terrestrial invertebrates (“the invertebrate regulation” as well as a regulation against uncontrolled import of live, alien earth worms (Lumbricidae), mainly organisms used in the zoo trade, has been initiated. The approach in both the aquarium regulation and the invertebrate regulation is to prepare “positive lists” of organisms that can be imported without a need for permission. However, importers can apply for a permit to import organisms that are not included in the list. One new regulation is particularly designed to discontinue the further sale and marketing of the two invasive alien North American freshwater species Elodea canadensis and Elodea nuttallii.

In 2008, DN also issued a recommendation to discontinue the growing, importing, marketing and/or exchanging of a number of invasive alien plants; Rosa rugosa, Lupinus polyphyllus, Heracleum mantegazzianum; Heracleum persicum, Fallopia japonica, Fallopia sachalinensis, Impatiens glandulifera, Solidago canadensis, Aruncus dioicus, Acer pseudoplatanus and Acer platanoides (the latter outside its natural range of distribution).

In the near future Norway will pass a new Act on biological diversity, to replace the slightly outdated Nature Conservation Act from 1970. This new Act will have a full chapter on IAS.

Action plans against invasive alien species

Norway has developed Action Plans against some selected IAS. The oldest, and by far the most extensive, Action Plan against an IAS has been the highly profiled work to try to eradicate the salmon parasite Gyrodactylus salaris from our watercourses; a work on which the Norwegian society through the years has spent millions of Norwegian kroner, and a fight that by far has not been won yet.

Another action plan that has been implemented for some years is concentrating on trying to keep the Norwegian waters free of signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and its parasite the crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci). Until 2006 Norway, together with Estonia, were believed to be the only two European countries where the signal crayfish had still not been established. However, in October 2006, the species was documented to live in a rather small freshwater lake in Southern Norway. Nevertheless, Norway has financed the construction of a concrete bar across a small riverlet inside Swedish territory to block the migration of the signal crayfish into the Norwegian side of this watercourse.

In 2008 Norway initiated two new Action Plans; on the raccoon dog, cfr. DN, 2008: Action plan against the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides (20 pp; in Norwegian), and, mainly by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, on the Spanish slug (Arion lusitanicus, 2008; 17 pp; in Norwegian).

For 2009 Norway plans to develop three more Action Plans:

Ø  Eradication of selected alien freshwater fish species

Ø  Action Plan against the American mink (Mustela vison) in selected nature reserves, particularly in protected areas for seabirds

Ø  Action Plan against the Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa) in selected nature reserves in Norway. A research project aiming to test different methods to eradicate Rosa rugosa (mentioned above) has met local resistance and there has also been some uprooting of plants, removal of signplates, etc. Some people living close to the research area, which is also a recreation area, want to keep this invasive rose species, as it is considered beautiful and may also give shelter for the wind. Information and cooperation with local communities seem to be important in these kinds of projects.

Other activities

On the marine side activities are going on to study the effects of the red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus), the Japanese seaweed (Sargassum muticum), the red macroalgae Heterosiphonia japonica, and possibly also the Pacific giant oyster (Crassostrea gigas). A National plan for mapping and monitoring of invasive alien marine species is due to be completed in 2009.

Norway has actively participated in the NOBANIS (Nordic-Baltic Network on Invasive Species) efforts on producing fact sheets for selected invasive alien species (cfr http://www.nobanis.org/). Norway has also actively participated in the Neobiota Conferences, both with posters from selected research activities and with participation from the management side.

Trondheim, April 16th, 2009

Svein Båtvik

Senior adviser

Directorate for Nature Management


15. SLOVAKIA / SLOVAQUIE

Contribution on Invasive Alien Species work in Slovakia

(2007 – 2008)

Invasive Alien species (IAS) work done in Slovakia in the period of 2007 - 2008 covers various activities which were both important and interesting contributions to the solution of the IAS problem in Slovakia in spite of the fact that some activities meant just very small steps forward.

Following information gives some examples of what was done in Slovakia in the period 2007 – 2008. However, this information does not cover activities which in the meantime became somehow obvious, e.g. work with the media, IAS in a research work and study programmes, mapping of IAS etc.

1.   Building awareness and support

The State Nature Conservancy of SR is publishing a series of leaflets on Invasive Alien Plant Species in Slovakia.   In 2007 the leaflet No. 6 was published and distributed among stakeholders.

East Slovakian Museum in Košice prepared an exhibition “Unwanted invadersinvasive alien plant species around us“ in 2005. The exhibition is still very popular; first of all it has been installed in many places in Eastern Slovakia and recently even all over Slovakia, e.g. in Bratislava the exhibition was installed at the entrance hall of the Ministry of Environment of SR. The exhibition is usually joined by a series of talks addressing the invasive alien plant species issues. The talks are organized with the cooperation of local authorities in Slovakia and significantly contribute to the public awareness.

2.   Collecting, managing and sharing information

Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra organized the 6th international conference Invasions and Invasive Organisms on 26th - 28th November 2008. One of the conference conclusions was the requirement of the participants “practitioners” (nature conservation, water management, public transport) for presentation not only theoretical issues but also more practical ones such as successful control/eradication measures.

State Nature Conservancy of SR participates in the project SEBI 2010 (Streamlining European 2010 biodiversity indicators) implemented by the European Environment Agency in Copenhagen.

There is no special IAS dedicated websites in Slovakia yet.  State Nature Conservancy of SR included the issue of IAS on  its own website: www.sopsr.sk/publikacie/invazne

The webpage is still under development, however, you can find there some basic information and documents on IAS.

3.    Strengthening national policy, legal and institutional frameworks

There is no special national legislation on IAS. Since 2002 the Act on Nature and Landscape Protection No. 543/2002 Coll. has been covering the issue partly.

However, the national policy on IAS was strengthened:

Ø  in January 2007 by the Order of the Slovak Government No. 81/2007 Coll. on the conditions of the support in agriculture within single area payment scheme in which for the first time the condition/subcondition for direct subsidies in agriculture requires elimination of invasive alien plant species (good agricultural and environmental conditions - GAEC). The Agricultural Paying Agency (Ministry of Agriculture of SR) which is responsible for the implementation of that Order organized in cooperation with State Nature Conservancy of SR training for its staff covering also issue of invasive alien plant species in May 2007.

For the EU programming period  2007 - 2013 within the Rural Development

Programme 2007 - 2013 the Order of the Slovak Government No. 160/2008 Coll. was adopted in April 2008 and GAEC is a basic mandatory condition for farmers to receive payments.

Ø  In relation to IAS, State Nature Conservancy of SR also cooperates with the phytosanitary inspection (Ministry of Agriculture of SR) in implementation of the Act on Phytosanitary Care No.193/2005.

4.   Regional cooperation and responsibility

Traditionally, there is quite good cooperation between neighbouring countries: Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Austria. Good example is the project “Development of the net of biological monitoring for the support of effective management of protected sites” between Hungary (National Park Aggtelek) and Slovakia (East Slovakian Museum in Košice with the cooperation of National Park Slovak Karst/Slovenský kras) within ITERREG III. Programme implemented in 2007-2008.  IAS were one of the issues covered by the project. The project outcomes inter alia were coordinated transboundary activities on:

Ø  building awareness and support (bilingual leaflets, brochures, lectures etc.)

Ø  control of the most problematic invasive alien plant species in that region, e. g.: Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) threatening habitats with the occurrence of endemic plant species Onosma tornensis, Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis),  Late goldenrod (Solidago gigantea), Japanese knotweed (Fallopia  japonica) threatening grasslands and wetlands.

In  2008 Slovakia became a member of the NOBANIS project and portal. There is an official letter signed by the Minister of the Environment of SR confirming the interest of Slovakia to participate in the project and to provide the Slovakian data on IAS, however, Slovakia must be more active in this regional cooperation now.

5.   Mitigation of impacts

Most of the management activities (eradication, containment, control of IAS) are mostly coordinated by State Nature Conservancy of SR and they are concentrated in protected areas.  Areas, where no special protection is provided but invasive alien species have been recorded there, are also subject to management measures. In 2007 cca 10 000 € was spent on management activities connected with IAS. Situation in 2008 was better,  63 000 €, due to the state support from the Environmental Fund (Ministry of Environment of SR).

The costs do not include money spent on IAS management in other sectors (agriculture,  forestry, water management, public transport etc.).

In relation to the invasive alien plant species control, there was a problem with the biomass disposal, in 2007 the State Nature Conservancy prepared a methodology to help stakeholders with the problem. The methodology is available at the above mentioned webpage of State Nature Conservancy of SR.

Ministry of Environment of SR

State Nature Conservancy of SR

(Report prepared by Ema Gojdičová)


16. SLOVENIA / SLOVENIE

Report on activities on ivasive alien species

Republic of Slovenia

Legislation

Recordings of invasive alien species (IAS) are increasing in Slovenia, and the need to raise awareness of the issue has been recognised. 

Alien species are addressed in provisions of several sectors, which provide a legal framework for preventive measures and other activities related to IAS.

The Nature Conservation Act (ZON-UPB2; Uradni list RS, No. 96/2004) regulates introduction of alien species into the wild in Slovenia. The introduction of plants or animals of non-indigenous species is prohibited unless it has been determined during the assessment of risk to nature that the activity shall not threaten the natural balance or biodiversity components. The measures relate also to reintroduction, repopulation and captive breeding of alien species.

Provisions for the assessment of risk to nature are set by the Rules on the carrying-out of the assessment of risk to nature and on the obtaining of authorisation (Uradni list RS, No. 43/2002). These Rules lay down the conditions and methods for the assessment of risk to nature prior to the introduction or repopulation of alien plant and animal species in the wild or the breeding of alien wild animal species. This provides a mechanism to control intentional introductions of alien species but does not address control of unintentional introductions.

The Plant Health Act (Uradni list RS, No. 62/2007) implements Council Directive 2000/29/EC and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

The Freshwater Fisheries Act (Uradni list RS, No. 61/2006) aims to prevent introduction and spread of alien species in inland waters. It prohibits the release of alien species, regulates sustainable breeding of fish stocks with prohibition of mixing populations between catchment areas and also prohibits relocation of living organisms between different catchments. The implementing Regulation on Fishing Species in Inland Waters (Uradni list RS, No. 46/2007) lists fishing species by river basin and specifically names alien species of fish and crayfish.

The Forestry Act (Uradni list RS, No. 30/1993) provides for forest management plans to define guidelines for conservation or restoration of autochthonous forest communities. According to rules on the protection of forests (Uradni list RS, No. 92/2000, 56/2006) it is prohibited to introduce alien tree, shrub, herbal, fungal or animal species in the forest.

The Wild Game and Hunting Act (Uradni list RS, No. 16/2004) regulates the introduction and reintroduction of alien species of wild game by requirement that the assessment of the risk to nature has to be executed in accordance with the nature protection regulations and also prohibits keeping of alien animals in game pens that could change genetic composition of native game animals in case of escape.

Strengthening of national policy

It has been recognised that strong cooperation and involvement of different institutions and sectors is needed to address IAS successfully. In the National Environment Programme (2005 -2012) preparation of a national strategy on IAS is foreseen. With the view of the forthcoming process of developing a national strategy on IAS cooperation has been established between certain sectors, however it is planed to be strengthened and further increased to all relevant sectors.


Public awareness

Most of the existing legislative measures provide framework for regulation of intentional introduction, measures for prevention of unintentional introductions and spread are not yet successfully established. Therefore it is of great importance that public awareness is raised with the view to help reducing the rate of new introductions and limit the spread of already established IAS. In the last year the activities with the aim of raising awareness have increased. 

There is one bigger ongoing project; Invasive alien species – an overlooked threat (Thuja). It is carried out by a project leader Institute Symbiosis in cooperation with partner organisations Botanical Society of Slovenia, society Akvaviva and touristic society Boštanj. The project Thuja aims to raise awareness on IAS issue on several levels.

Ø  The general public is addressed trough an information portal (http://www.tujerodne-vrste.info/), alternative media (free postcards) (http://www.tujerodne-vrste.info/feliks.html) and an interactive exhibition which has been launched in April.

Ø  Specific target groups, which importantly contribute to the spread of IAS, have been addressed by an information booklet that has been and distributed as a supplement in a country-wide magazine on gardening and animal keeping (http://www.tujerodne-vrste.info/publikacije/Tujerodne_vrste.pdf).

Ø  Several articles have been published in other specialized magazines (http://www.tujerodne-vrste.info/publikacije.html).

Ø  A workshop on IAS has been organised attended by representatives of government, research and nongovernmental institutions. At the workshop an overview of the IAS problem has been presented, existing EU and Slovenian legislation has been discussed followed by exercise on searching for solutions to address problems caused by selected representative species (http://www.tujerodne-vrste.info/publikacije/Thuja_posvet_vabilo.pdf). The aim of the workshop was to start a dialogue between different institutions and prepare a basis for the future strategy on IAS.

Ø  Inventory of invasive alien plants at the protected area Radensko polje has been prepared with the help of volunteers. This action will be followed by the eradication activities in year 2009.

Ø  During the project a trainings course will also be prepared for nature conservation wardens in protected areas on how to recognise IAS, which are most likely to spread in their areas.

Biology Students' Society of Slovenia raised awareness on IAS between biology students with the description of the IAS problem on their web page and action supported by the City of Ljubljana aimed on eradication of Rudbeckia laciniata in the vicinity of the faculty (http://dsb.biologija.org/akt/inv/index.php).

Invasive alien species were the main theme of the competition in biology for the Proteus prize orginised for hihghschool children by Slovenian popular scientific journal “Proteus” in school year 2008/2009.

Slovenian national television has prepared a documentary broadcast on invasive alien plants, IAS have also been presented in several other broadcasts and there is also increased coverage of IAS related topic in other media and on internet.

Celebration of the International Biodiversity Day

In the view of the forthcoming celebration of the International Biodiversity Day several activities will take place with the aim of razing awareness of biodiversity and threats caused by IAS:

Ø  The Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation is preparing excursions, exhibitions and other presentations to celebrate different days dedicated to nature conservation as for example European Moth Nights, European Day of Parks, International Biodiversity Day. At this occasions information will be provided also on IAS and threats they pose to biodiversity.

Ø  Ministry of the environment and spatial planning is preparing a conference for celebrating The International Day for Biological Diversity. The theme of the conference will be Invasive alien species – what measures should we take? The aim of the conference is to present the threats caused by IAS with emphasis on species that have been introduced as escaped or released pets and plants escaped from gardens and ponds. The discussion will be oriented toward establishing measures for addressing threats posed by those species. Code of conduct on horticulture and IAS developed by the Bern Convention will be introduced as one of the possible mechanisms and the possibility of developing national Code of conduct will be discussed.


17. SPAIN / ESPAGNE

report

on the activities on invasive alien species (ias) in spain.

For the 8th meeting of the Group of Experts on Invasive Alien Species of the Bern Convention

Croacia, 5-7 May 2009

Introduction

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) represents one of the most important threats to biodiversity in the world. Their effects can be viewed not only on the environment but on the economy and also on human health. Many international organizations have included the control of IAS among their priorities. In this respect a special mention must be done for the International guidelines elaborated by the Convention on Biological Diversity for the elaboration of National Action Plans. Regarding the European Union, there is the document of the Commission (COM 2006 (216) final), including the proposition to prepare an EU Strategy on IAS taking into account the Bern Convention European Strategy. This EU Strategy will be likely approved during this year.

Legal Framework

The main problem is the absence of a legal support focusing on the global aspects of IAS. This necessity has already been exposed in former meetings. The international character of the problematic and its implications not only on nature conservation, but on health, economy, international trade and many aspects of the human activity, seems to be asking for a global legislation. In this context a European legal framework, through a Directive or other legislative proposition could be a great support for the development of national legislation and the control of IAS in Europe in a global perspective.

In Spain the Law on the Conservation of the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity from 2007, the major legal corpus in nature conservation, creates the “Catálogo Español de Especies Exóticas Invasoras” (Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species) dependent of the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs. This National Catalogue, in process of elaboration, will include the most dangerous species or subspecies of IAS that represent any serious threat for native species, habitats, agriculture or economy. The inclusion of a species in this National Catalogue will mean the prohibition of private possession, transport, traffic and trade, including foreign trade. The Law also establishes that the Regional Authorities must carry on the monitoring of the exotic species potentially invasives.

The elaboration and approval of national strategies for control or eradication of species especially dangerous is also foreseen in the Law. The first National Strategy has been theNational Strategy for the Control of Zebra Mussel, a document elaborated and coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs that has been approved by the National Conference for Environment on September 2007.

Spanish Action Plan on IAS

The Spanish Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs has promoted the elaboration of an Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species at national level. This Action Plan has been published on 2006 with the title: “Especies Exóticas Invasoras: Diagnóstico y bases para su prevención y manejo” (Invasive Alien Species: Diagnosis and Background for Prevention and Management). This publication includes the analysis of the current situation of IAS in Spain and its ecological and economical problematic, making a risk analysis and suggesting prevention measures.

The Action Plan identifies the most dangerous species and proposes a preliminary list of IAS established in Spain, a black list of IAS in Spain whit 77 animal species, 8 fungi species and more than 130 plant species. There are also lists of species of urgent eradication, for example Oxyura jamaicensis, Alectoris graeca, Coturnix japonica, Ammotragus lervia, Mustela vison, Myocastor coipu, Gambusia holbrooki, Esox lucius, Silurus glanis, Trachemys scripta or Dreissena polymorpha between the animals or Caulerpa taxifolia, Eichornia crassipes,  Cortaderia selloana, Pennisetum setaceum, Carpobrotus edulis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Nicotiana glauca and Azolla filiculoides on plants species. Eradication of other species such as feral dogs and cats, rabbits or rats is also recommended in some particular situations.

Several regional governments have been elaborated or developed their own strategies on IAS. Most of the Autonomous Communities have also designed programs of control or eradication of the most problematic species of IAS.

Information and Publications

Two news and important books on IAS has been publishes by the Ministry in 2008.

The first one, “Ecología del mejillón cebra (Dreissena polymorpha) en el tramo inferior del río Ebro.  Problemática y posibilidades de control” by Imanol Cía. This study is the most detailed work on zebra mussel carried out in Spain. Contain the most rigorous information about spreading out of the species at the lower stretch of the Ebro river and included the review of the state of art in the subject of precautionary measures, contingency plans and eradication of the zebra mussel.

The other one is “Vertebrados invasores: problemática ambiental y gestión de sus poblaciones” (Invasive vertebrates: environmental risk and population management), by Jorge Orueta, and exhaustive handbook on management and control measures of this kind of animals.

Prevention and control

The Ministry of Environment has continued the programs of control or eradication under its responsibility. Many other activities are developed by Autonomous Communities, local authorities and NGO.

In the National Park Network, the Ministry has continued whit the main IAS programs in the National Parks of Canary Islands as the control of rats, cats and dogs that threaten the coastal birds in  Timanfaya National Park (island of Lanzarote) or laurel pigeons in Garajonay NP (island of La Gomera). Also there programs  in the National Parks of the Canary Islands to eradicate the species that affect the indigenous plants, for example Ammotragus lervia in Caldera de Taburiente NP (La Palma) or rabbits and wild sheep in Teide NP (Tenerife).

In other National Parks where the management has been transferred to Autonomous Communities, as Doñana National Park, the Regional Authorities continues with the control programs existents as those for Azolla and Carpobrotus.

The Ministry also supports some programs in public domains (rivers and coasts) as the eradication of Eichornia crassipes in Guadiana river and rats and rabbits and gulls in the Chafarinas Islands.

In coordination whit the regional or local authorities, the Ministry continues whit important national or local projects. The most important of these programs are:

-             National control of Ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis). This species is the most important threat for the global endangered and native White headed duck. 245 birds have been shooted since1984 in this control program. 177 birds were Ruddy ducks and 68 were hybrids. That number represents almost the whole of the ruddy and hybrids ducks watched in Spain in this period of time.

-             Control of American mink (Mustela vison) in areas where the European mink, one of the most endangered carnivore species in the world, exists. Between 1999 and 2008 has been extirpated more than 2.400 American minks in areas nearby to the European species distribution.

Also the Autonomous Communities have important programs for the control of most harmful IAS present in its territory.


For example, the Government of the Canary Island supports the program for the control of exotic snakes, like Royal snake (Lampropertis gatulus), that threatened the endemic fauna in some islands. Also carries out the program for the control of Rhynchonphorus ferrugineus, species that causes great damages in Canary palms.

En Andalucía exist the “Andalucian Program for the Control of IAS focusing in 36 species of plants, 4 acuatic invertebrates and 8 vertebrates.

Ríos Rosas, 24

28003 Madrid (España)

TEL: 91 749 36 58

FAX: 91 749 38 30


18. SWEDEN / SUEDE

National Country Report -Sweden

The Swedish Strategy and Action Plan

A  proposed national strategy and action plan for alien species was submitted to the government in December 2008 (In Swedish, with English summary starting page 26 http://www.naturvardsverket.se/Documents/publikationer/978-91-620-5910-1.pdf). The strategy and action plan was developed by seven government agencies (the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the Swedish Forest Agency, the Swedish Board of Agriculture, the Swedish Board of Fisheries, Swedish Customs, Swedish Maritime Administration and the Swedish Species Information Centre). The Swedish parliament is expected to approve the strategy and action plan in autumn 2009 as a part of the Environmental Objectives, which is the steering framework for all environmental work in Sweden. The national strategy and action plan for alien species highlights that costs for implementing the action plan (18.5 – 747 million SEK per year, depending on the level of ambition) are small, in relation to the costs that invasive alien species may mean if no action is taken (12 species are estimated to cost 1,1 – 4, 5 billion SEK/year).

A key finding in the strategy was that improved coordination and cooperation, between government bodies at all levels and with stakeholders and the general public, is vital for the success of preventing invasive alien species from harming biological diversity and society. The national strategy and action plan proposes establishing a cost effective system for management of invasive alien species and genotypes that is dimensioned to the actual and potential risks. It includes the development of a Swedish joint cooperative group to coordinate and support work with IAS. The group will be composed of representatives from the sector authorities for environment, agriculture, fisheries, forestry and maritime, as well as the country administration boards, cities, universities and research organizations and stakeholders. A Species Information and Reporting System for IAS will be developed to improve reporting, monitoring and management of IAS. A system for reliable, transparent and science-based risk analysis will be developed to be used as the basis for; work with risk classification of alien species and development of black, grey and white lists, decisions for granting permits for intentional introductions, as the basis for laws, for identification of vectors for import and spreading of unintentional introductions and in the development of contingency plans. Environmental monitoring of IAS will be developed.

New introductions of invasive alien species

In 2006-2009 a number of very invasive alien species have been introduced and observed in Sweden among which;

Ø  Mnemiopsis leidyi, the American comb jelly was observed in 2008 off the Swedish west coast and in the Baltic Sea in large numbers. Genetic analysis of samples of the comb jelly taken in the central Baltic summer 2009 showed that it was in fact Mertensia spp., a species native to the arctic regions. It may be that there has been an introduction of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the southern Baltic and Mertensia spp. in the central and northern Baltic, but it is possible that the Mertensia spp could be native to the Baltic. Studies continue.

Ø  The round goby Neogobius melanostomus was discovered in Swedish waters for the first time, near Karlskrona, a harbour with regular boat traffic with Poland, in summer 2008. A monitoring project to assess the extent of the introduction will be started in summer 2009.

Ø  The pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilius has been intercepted in wood packing materials several times in Sweden in the summer of 2008.

Control and eradication projects

The raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides is the object of a three year monitoring and eradication project by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and researchers from the Swedish Agricultural University. Photo traps baited with scent which attracts the raccoon dog are set up in areas where they can be expected to enter Sweden from Finland. The animals once detected are tracked and eradicated. 50 raccoon dogs have been removed during winter 2008-2009, which indicates that the problem is far greater than thought at the onset of the project. The raccoon dog has apparently been successfully reproducing in Sweden, which indicates that efforts will probably need to be more intensive and long-term than planned from the beginning of the project.

Local programs are in place to control and eradicate the American mink Mustela vison from islands in Swedish archipelagos. Other eradication and control projects are carried out by the county administrative boards for the Japanese rose Rosarugosa, the Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum, and the Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica and the Fringed water lily Nymphoides peltata.

Information and research

Sweden together with Denmark continues to coordinate the NOBANIS network on Invasive Species. Sweden has also contributed to the EU research project DAISIE which came to an end in 2008.

Information on invasive alien species in Swedish marine and brackish water environments is found on the gateway at www.frammandearter.se which continues to be updated.

The AquAliens research programme on assessing the effects of invasive alien species in the aquatic environment ended at the end of 2007. Public awareness projects were emphasized in 2007 and resulted in two open hearings, museum exhibits and a booklet for the general public. AquAliens has been instrumental in capacity building in Sweden, as graduate students involved in the program are now employed in various government agencies at all levels, including the environment, fisheries and foreign aid.

Upcoming problems with IAS

With the increasing awareness of the challenges climate change will bring to forestry production, the timber industry is keen on encouraging the use of the North American lodgepole pine Pinus contorta. The Swedish Board of Forestries is working on a government remit project to suggest how use of the lodgepole pine can be increased.

Use of invasive alien species in biofuel production is also a cause for concern.

Efforts to eradicate the individuals of the Ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicensis observed in Sweden have failed, due to the reluctance of local authorities to go into bird protection areas during hatching season to shoot the birds. There is a clear conflict between bird protection ordinances and the need to eradicate the Ruddy duck. Fortunately the numbers of birds has greatly decreased in the last years and no pairs have been observed since 2004 (Source: Species Gateway http://www.artportalen.se/ date of access 2009-04-20). Nesting Ruddy ducks were observed in 2004 and possibly in 2003.


19. SWITZERLAND / SUISSE

Overview of IAS work in Switzerland

Contribution to the meeting of the group of experts on IAS in Brijuni, May 2009

By Dr. Corinne Vonlanthen, Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland

1. Legal framework

In October 2008 the revised Ordinance on the Release of Organisms into the Environment (RO) became effective. According to the revised RO (www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/c814_911.html) Switzerland has among other things to

Furthermore, appendix 2 of the revised RO prohibits the sale and/or, trade of certain IAS such as Crassula helmsii, Heracleum mantegazzianum, Senecio inaequidens, Solidago canadensis etc.

Moreover, according to the Ordinance on Hunting and the Protection of wild Mammals and Birds and the Ordinance concerning the Federal Act on Fisheries the cantons have to make sure that non-idigenous species such as Oxyura jamaicensis, Nyctereutes procyonoides etc. will not spread in Switzerland. The Ordinance on Plant Protection requests that places where Ambrosia artemisiifolia is found have to be announced and that the plant has to be removed. Other legal regulations (Nature and Cultural Heritage Protection Act , Environmental Protection Act) deal with non-indigenous species in a more general way.

2. Information

Already available is a black / watch list for vascular plants (www.cps-skew.ch). Moreover, we should have a black / watch list for animals by the end of the year.

3. National Coordination

In autumn 2008 Switzerland established a national IAS working group (the so called AGIN -  http://www.kvu.ch/d_kvu_arbeitsgruppen.cfm). In the AGIN the different main stakeholders are involved.

The AGIN has three sub-groups:

4. Monitoring

According to the revised RO we have so set up a monitoring system. The monitoring project will be launched in the next couple of months.

5. Research projects

Switzerland has several on-going research projects:

6. Strategy

We are currently writing up a biodiversity strategy. One part of this strategy will deal with IAS. At the same time, we are establishing an IAS action plan.

7. Current status analyses

For certain species (Sciurus carolinensis, Tadorna ferruginea, Oxyura jamaicensis etc.) analyses of the current status in Switzerland were made.


20. TUNISIA / TUNISIE

Statut of Alien species in Tunisia

By Professor Mohamed Chaieb

Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, Tunisia

[email protected]

Invasive alien plants are harmful non-native plant species whose introduction and spread threatens the environment, the economy, and society, including human health. They can be introduced into Tunisia from others countries or continents. The current threats caused by invasive alien plants are real and growing.  They threaten croplands, rangelands, and natural areas in Tunisia. Degrading agriculture and reducing biological diversity. Increasing and changing patterns of international trade and travel facilitate further incursions of invasive plant species in Tunisia, while environmental factors favour their establishment and spread. 

Among the principal invasive plant species of the Tunisian territory we found: 

species

French name

Geographical Origin

Distribution in Tunisia

Mode of multiplication

Solanum elaeagnifolium

Morelle jaune

Amérique latine

Sousse, Nabeul, Béja, Kef, Kairouan, Tunis, Sidi bouzid

seeds

Cuscuta australis

Cuscute du bident

Sud européenne

Everywhere in Tunisia

seeds

Oxalis floribunda

Oxalide de florifère

Amérique

Everywhere in Tunisia

seeds & bulb

Eleusine indica

Eleusine

Inde

Cap Bon

seeds

Galinsoga parviflora

Galinsoga à petite fleur

Néo tropicale

Cap Bon

seeds

Datura ferox

Datura

Asie

Cap Bon

seeds

Ipomoea stolonifera

Ipomée stolonifère

Amérique

Mahdia, Bekalta, Sousse

Seeds, stolons, & rhizomes & bulb

Cyperus bulbosa

Souchet bulbeux

inconnue

Sahel

Seeds & bulb

Carpobrotus edulis

Afrique du Sud

Everywhere in Tunisia

Propagate

                                                                                                                            

With these species, other species were introduced voluntarily by the man. Among these species :

Ø  -Haloxylon persicum

Ø  -Heliotropium curassavicum

Ø  -Conyza canadensis

Ø  -Calotropis prostrata

Ø  -Nicotianan glauca


21. UNITED KINGDOM / ROYAUME-UNI

United Kingdom update

This report is a brief update on selected items of progress as regards action on Invasive Alien Species in the UK.

Policy co-ordination

As explained in the 2007 report, the UK has adopted two bio-geographical approaches comprised of strategic work on an all-Ireland basis and a joint-GB approach involving the administrations of England, Scotland and Wales.  The latter is overseen by the GB Non-native Species Programme Board, supported by a GB Secretariat: http://www.nonnativespecies.org/

National strategy

At the time of the April 2007 Reykjavik meeting, the Invasive Non-native Species Framework Strategy for GB was in draft form.  It was launched in May 2007 and can be found at the Secretariat website above.  The Strategy is increasingly often being referred to in other areas of activity – both within and outside Government as awareness of the IAS issue is improving.

Implementation activity

Risk analysis:

The first 7 completed risk assessments have been published on the Secretariat website for public use/comment and a further 69 are now in progress.  Target species for risk assessment have been identified in consultation with a range of stakeholders.

Rapid response:

A GB working group of key government departments and bodies is developing a protocol to set out how the various bodies will work together using their existing powers and resources, to implement rapid response in future.

Media and Communications:

A GB working group comprised of government departments and bodies, as well as non-governmental bodies, is developing an overarching GB media and communications plan to guide raising awareness and understanding of IAS issues.

This will also be informed by the results of a survey undertaken to investigate public attitudes and understanding of wildlife management and IAS issues.  Final report expected shortly.

Data, Surveillance and Monitoring:

A three year project has been started to develop a comprehensive GB data repository on non-native species.  The intention is to facilitate the collation of data from various sources to produce distributional information and identify trends for reporting via a relevant biodiversity indicator, to produce reports for the GB Board, to provide a clear location for reporting from any source and therefore produce alerts to support rapid response.  It is expected that in due course this will also be capable of engaging with any European Early Warning System.

A formal invasive non-native species indicator has been developed and will be formally launched on 22 May – International Day for Biodiversity, themed on IAS.  (See indicator 11 at: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-4233 )

Research and information projects:

In collaboration with EPPO, the third a final project in developing the GB Risk Analysis methodology has been completed and will now be implemented through the GB Risk Analysis Panel. 

UK is collaborating with the Plant Protection Service, Netherlands through the EUPHRESCO mechanism on a project called DeClaim – (Decision Support Systems for ControL of Alien Invasive Macrophytes).  The project will generate a prototype decision support system for optimal control measures for four representatives of the most troublesome growth forms of invasive aquatic alien weeds, Myriophyllids and Stratiotids; namely Cabomba caroliniana, Hydrocotyle ranunculoides, Ludwigia grandiflora and Myriophyllum aquaticum.  Project will report in 2010.

Research has been undertaken into the feasibility of controlling/eradicating a single small population monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus), in an urban setting – though no final decision has been made yet. This has involved trialling trapping techniques, nest removal and shooting.

Government is supporting a project to develop a field-guide book on invasive non-native species (similar to other species identification guide books).  Target date for final product is December 2010.

A comprehensive guide entitled “Invasive species management for infrastructure managers and the construction industry” has been produced through a project led by CIRIA and supported by other bodies including Government.  The report can be found at:  http://www.ciria.org/SERVICE/search_bookshop/core/orders/product.aspx?catid=2&prodid=1560

The UK research conducted by CABI into a suitable biological control agent for Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) has identified the psyllid Apahlara itadori as being extremely specific having used a test plant range of 90 species. The work is now documented in a published paper[2] and an application to release the psyllid is being progressed through appropriate regulatory processes.

Invasive non-native species identification sheets have been produced and welcomed by stakeholders.  The first 18 are now available on the GB Secretariat website and a further set of 47 are currently under development.

A project to more precisely quantify the economic impacts of IAS in GB is currently under tender process and should be let by the summer.

Research is planned this summer to test the practical application of a PCR technique (developed in France) for establishing the presence of North American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) by detecting its DNA in waterbodies.  Collaboration with the French scientists has been established and it is hoped the technique could complement existing eradication work on this species and other work on mapping the extent etc of the amphibian disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in England.  It is hoped it could also be used for detecting other species too.  

A preliminary assessment of the UK internet pet trade as an IAS pathway has been completed, follow-up to the report is under consideration.

Following up issues discussed at the 2008 CBD CoP, UK has contributed funding to support development of the PIJAC-GISP Pet Trade Pathway Toolkit.

Control/eradication:

Ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis): A total of 1,284 ruddy ducks have been shot on 60 sites between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009, (219 in the ‘summer’ period April to August 2008, and 1,065 in the ‘winter’ period September 2008 to March 2009).  Control was carried out on 60 sites spanning the north of Scotland to the south of England.  An independent count of 103 sites across Great Britain by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in January 2009 found a total of 687 ruddy ducks.  Since that date 424 have been culled.  A second European workshop was held in Nantes in north-western France in November 2008. This was attended by representatives from France, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK.  Information on ruddy duck numbers in Belgium and Germany was also made available to the workshop.  It appears that the UK, France and the Netherlands are the only countries with self-sustaining populations.  Ruddy ducks remain rare in Belgium, Germany and Ireland, and numbers in these countries are probably less than three breeding pairs in each.  In Spain the control programme is ongoing and six ruddy ducks were seen in Spain in 2008, all of which were culled. No hybrids were reported in Spain in 2008.

In England and Wales, work was undertaken in 2008 to eradicate known populations of Ludwigia grandiflora Monitoring for re-emergence will take place this year.

Discovery in June 2008 of Didemnum vexillum in a harbour in Wales led to rapid work to organise survey by divers of the extent of its presence and to check for its presence in other harbours.  Detailed reports were submitted to the GB Programme Board and the implementation of a rapid response is currently under consideration, including identifying suitable techniques, costs and delivery arrangements.

Legislation:

Public consultations have taken place in Scotland, England and Wales on use of legislative powers, including the prohibition of sale of specified IAS.  Wide-ranging views and opinions were submitted in response and no decisions have been made as yet.

In Northern Ireland and Scotland, work has commenced on reviewing relevant legislation and identifying improvements.

Miscellaneous:

A number of new county based initiatives and local projects focussed on IAS have started, complementing some longer running initiatives.  These aim to develop multi-partner approaches to local strategic management of IAS within the context of the national framework.  The GB Strategy and Government policy lead provides a clear impetus and context for such projects.

The Government intends to enable land remediation tax relief to incentivise the regeneration of land contaminated with Japanese knotweed recognising it as a significant problem for land development and trialling the use of an economic incentive against IAS.

Huw M. Thomas
Acting Head, European and UK Species Policy
Head, Protected Species and Non-native Species Team
Zone 1/08a
Wildlife Species Conservation Division
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6EB
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)117 372 8296
Fax: +44 (0)117 372 8688
E-mail: [email protected]  


22. GEIB Grupo Especialista en Invasiones Biológicas

A perspective on climate change and invasive alien species

GEIB Grupo Especialista en Invasiones Biológicas

Invasive alien species are causing profound and usually irreparable changes to natural ecosystems around the world. The spread of these harmful species is accelerating under the influence of a number of global changes, for example the increase in the international trade, disruptive land-use practices, climate change, etc.

There are increasing evidences that climate change will interfere with processes underlying biological invasions although it would be precipitate to make specific predictions with the current level of knowledge.

To predict the impact of climate change on biological invasion is far from easy, because of the proper biology of the species that determines responses to different stimulus, the susceptibility to invasion of the host ecosystem, the vulnerability of native species to climate change and the dynamism of changes in the interactions within ecosystems and human activities. Changes in temperatures may stress native species decreasing the resistance to invasion of natural communities, increasing disturbance elements (such fires, floods, storms, heat-waves, droughts, etc.) as a direct consequence of climate change, could advantage alien species, etc.

The present table summarizes the aspects of global change that favour IAS:

Element of global change

Prevalence of invaders

Increased atmospheric [CO2]

+/-

Climate change (áT)

+

Increased nitrogen deposition

+

Altered disturbance regimes

+

Increased habitat fragmentation

+

There is a general consensus that warming temperatures, the increase in N deposition, altered disturbance regimes, increased habitat fragmentation and also the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration will potentially favour IAS leading to new invasions and spread of the already established IAS.

Although the research has advanced in the understanding of attributes of successful invaders, invasibility of communities, residence time, interactions between habitat compatibility and propagule pressure, etc., the enormous complexity of these determinants and existing uncertainties still influence our capacity to predict whether or not an exotic species could turn into invasive and its impacts.

Thus, we need to focus our attention on every aspect that influences the invasion process and their interactions with global change. Climate change has the potential to modify the impacts of IAS by affecting their sources, pathways and destinations.

If climate change alters any factor of the invasion process (including its interactions), IAS will be benefited from these new conditions. In this context, we should detect which points of the invasion process could be affected by climate change: we need to draw up a framework for our essay.

Understanding invasions…

Ø  Process of invasion (arrival, establishment and spread of IAS).

Climate change influences invasive species by affecting their entry pathways, establishment, spread and colonization of new habitats.

Climate change per se is likely to have limited direct effects on movement of IAS along trade routes, but new patterns of international trade in response to changes in climatic conditions have the potential to alter the composition of invasive species that are spread around the world.

·      Patterns of spread are determined by the species involved, the suitability of the host ecosystem for propagation, and the incidence of extreme climatic events. For example, wind and water transport is affected by climate; storms, prolonged rainy seasons and flooding determine the dispersal of many invaders. Wind systems affect the long-distance migration routes; wind shifts caused by changes in climate have the potential to affect the patterns of migration of IAS (for example, some pest like locusts or moths). Moreover, climatic gradients are likely to play a role in determining the rate and direction of spread of IAS.

·      Disturbances and land transformations offer new opportunities to new species to colonize and spread. Indeed, land-use changes are often brought about by the use of introduced species (new forage species, plantation trees, etc.).

Ø   Ecological resistance of an ecosystem to be invaded.

Numerous IAS are dependent on the disturbance of native ecosystems to support their colonisation and establishment. Invasion success is also determined by the traits of the host ecosystem: opportunity for colonization, changes in atmospheric patterns, suitability of the habitat, resource availability and the host community, play an important role.

·       There is the potential for some species that are currently non-invasive to become invasive in native ecosystems due to climate change. Others, currently invasive, could turn into greater or reduced threats.

·       Changes in land-use patterns that increase habitat fragmentation and alter disturbance regimes will increase the prevalence of non-native species. In a fragmented and degraded landscape experiencing rapid environmental change, the niches available to IAS could increase. For example, Ailanthus altissima is an excellent coloniser, but is most commonly found in ruderal habitats and less often in areas where competition with native species is high. In a fragmented and degraded landscape experiencing rapid environmental change, the niches available to this species could increase.

·       -Land transformation acts to encourage biotic change by causing system changes that provide the opportunity for biological invasion, and by bringing new species from different biogeographic regions into contact with these altered systems.

·       Extreme events (for example, severe and prolonged droughts) linked to climate change may cause important impacts on biological systems because they stress indigenous species reducing their resistance to invasions.

Ø   Characteristics of invasive alien species regarding native species.

The inherent traits of species (both native and exotic) can play a role in the impact of non-indigenous species. Species characteristics include number of seed/propagules produced per generation, diet breadth, size of home range, ability to fix nitrogen, overall body size, adaptation to fire, degree of polyploidy, etc. But species traits are not a determining factor in order to predict if one species has the potential to be (or not) a good invader. Nevertheless, it is possible to detect some traits that could play and important role in predicting future invasive success.

·       For example, some insects traits could be an advantage to invade new ecosystems: generalist feeders, cosmopolitan species, phenotypical plasticity, fast growing, multivoltine species, non-diapausing species or species which do not have a low temperature requirement to induce diapause, and those which are able to overwintering in their active stages, can be expected to increase population densities and expand their geographical ranges and may represent a risk in the future.

Invasion process is a complicate sequence of events and there are many uncertainties… Each stage of the invasion process is characterized by unique ecological and social factors. Invasion process linked with climate change brings out some questions to be resolved in the future:

How entry pathways of invaders could be affected by climate change?

Will some ecosystems become more or less susceptible to be invaded?

Will some non-indigenous species that are currently benign become invasive?

Will impacts of existing invaders decrease or become more severe?

Further considerations to be taken into account are:

·           The effect of climate change on the risks from IAS will depend on the sensitivity of the species to climate and the specific host ecosystem and region, making difficult to point out without doubt which species could be more or less harmful. Given this level of uncertainty, prevention of invasions (and process of risk minimization) is of vital importance. Nevertheless, in the context of climate change, it could be useful to detect which species traits will be an advantage and which ones will be a disadvantage in order ‘to predict’ new invasions. In this sense, it could be useful to evaluate species characteristics across more than one invasion stage taking into account also the consequences of climate change.

·           Sometimes, entry pathways (i.e. transport) are not a biological or ecological process; sometimes are a social, economic and political matter. Global change could affect, for example, international trade patterns, thus this concept has to be taken into account when dealing with biological invasions.

·           The identification of high-risk potential invasive species, their early detection and rapid response will enhance effective management. Biosecurity strategies will also need to increasingly incorporate climate change projections into risk management assessments.

·           Interactions between IAS and their host plants, predators and competitors, in addition to direct effects on species, need to be taken into account when making a risk assessment for IAS impacts and also, for global change impacts. It means that it is not possible to develop a holistic impact assessment of a species without assessing at the same time the impact of the environmental changes on the other species in the same and different trophic levels.

·           As disturbance regimes are altered by environmental change, the resilience of natural systems to change is likely to decline and European policy must respond to the increasing environmental risk.

·           The final impact of non-native species is also dependent on human perception. Human criteria (economics, aesthetics, human health, ecosystem processes…) can change along the time. This aspect is very important to define future impacts on the context of climate change.

How climate change influences biological invasions is a considerable room for interdisciplinary groups to contribute to these issues. Research is crucial to understand interactions between climate change and biological invasions. However, IAS and their consequences are a present problem which requires not only a theoretical but also operative and pragmatic approach.


23. NOBANIS

Progress of the NOBANIS gateway

The NOBANIS network www.nobanis.org has welcomed 5 new countries to the network and now includes 17 countries. Participating countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Faroe Islands, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland (including the Republic of Ireland and North Ireland), Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, European part of Russia, Slovakia, Sweden. NOBANIS has therefore revised its name to the European Network on Invasive Alien Species.

The NOBANIS gateway is being developed to make the gateway of even greater practical use for environmental managers, researchers and the interested general public. The newly revised NOBANIS gateway is planned to be fully available by Biodiversity Day May 22, 2009.

The new features being developed include a function for charting information taken from the national databases. Such figures are needed for developing indicators, for presenting the problem of IAS in national strategies and action plans and for developing measures to prevent introductions and harm to biological diversity. They can also be used as a valuable tool in awareness raising. These charts will include:

a)      Trends in introduction of alien species by environment (marine and brackish water, freshwater and terrestrial environments). This is a SEBI2010 indicator for IAS.

b)      Number of alien species in the country chosen and a comparison to the entire NOBANIS regions

c)      Number of alien species by habitat

d)      Number of alien taxonomic groups by pathway of introduction

e)      Number of alien species by pathway of introduction

f)       Ecological impacts of invasive alien species

For each of these charts you will have a chart showing information for the country you select and a comparison between this country and all NOBANIS countries.

Other developments in the NOBANIS gateway will be the addition of information pages on National strategies and Action Plans, Climate Change and IAS and Black Lists on IAS.



[1] See Report to Bern Convention Group of Experts on IAS (T-PVS (2002) 11).