Invasive alien plants opportunities for cooperation in the Balkans Vladimir Vladimirov T. Trichkova, R. Tomov, A. Uludag, M. Rat, Ts. Naydenova
Key definitions Alien species any live specimen of a species or lower taxon introduced outside its natural range Invasive alien species an alien species whose introduction or spread has been found to threaten or adversely impact upon biodiversity and related ecosystem services
Binding international documents (1) Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) Art. 8h Prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species Bern Convention (1979) Art. 11(2)b each party undertakes to strictly control the introduction of non-native species
Binding international documents (2) EU s Habitats Directive Art. 22(b) ensure that the deliberate introduction into the wild of any species which is not native to their territory is regulated EU Regulation 1143/2014 (in force since 01 Jan 2015) Art. 7(1) IAS of Union concern shall not be intentionally brought into the territory of EU, kept, bred, transported, placed on the market, used or exchanged, permitted to reproduce, released to the environment Art. 7(2) Member States shall take all necessary steps to prevent the unintentional introduction or spread
Erigeron sumatrensis (2009)
Ambrosia artemisiifolia (1981/2001)
Opuntia humifusa
Opuntia humifusa - reproduction
Opuntia humifusa - habitats
Opuntia humifusa impacts Increases vegetation cover Reduces local diversity of native plants Threatens native plants of conservation concern Reduces grazing area Dianthus nardiformis (EN) Centaurea arenaria (VU)
Opuntia humifusa valued by locals
IAS of vascular plants in Bulgaria some facts Alien species and man-made habitats largely neglected in botanical studies until 2005 We do not have a complete national list of neophytes yet List of IAS is based on expert opinion No special legislation to deal with IAS
The same facts for Serbia No national list of neophytes (but list of neophytes in Vojvodina published) National list of invasive plants published 67 species based on expert opinion No special legislation to deal with IAS
What can arrive from the neighbours? Cenchrus incertus
Bidens vulgatus Solanum elaeagnifolium
ESENIAS Established in 2011, meeting in Sofia Preceeding meetings: Trabzon (2010), Zagreb (2010) ESENIAS meetings: Belgrade (2012), Canakkale (2013), Antalya (2014) next ESENIAS meeting 26-29.X.2015, Sofia
ESENIAS goals Exchange and share information on IAS Facilitate collaboration between institutions and IAS experts in SEE Establish joint research activities on IAS Harmonize regional IAS-policy development Integrate information on IAS in SEE into European and global IAS initiatives www.esenias.org
Highlights from Regulation 1143 (1) List of IAS of Union concern (criteria for inclusion, risk assessment) IAS of regional/member State concern (species that require enhanced regional cooperation) Member States shall, within 18 months of adoption of the Union list, identify the pathways for priority action (incl. Action plan within 3 years) Within 18 months Member States shall establish a surveillance system of IAS of Union concern to collect and record distribution of IAS
Highlights from Regulation 1143 (2) After early detection and within 3 months after notifying EC, Members States (MS) shall apply eradication measures Scientific forum of representatives of the scientific community appointed by MS will provide advice on scientific questions To develop adequate knowledge base, MS shall undertake research, monitoring and surveillance of IAS
East and South European Network for Invasive Alien Species a tool to support the management of alien species in Bulgaria (ESENIAS-TOOLS) Funding: FM of EEA Promoter: Inst. Biodiv. Ecosyst. Research, BAS Partners: 1. ExEA Bulgaria 2. Natl. Mus. Natural History, BAS 3. Inst. Ocean., BAS 4. Helenic Center for Marine Research (Greece) 5. State Institute for Nature Protection (Croatia) 6. University of Novi Sad, Fac. Science (Serbia) 7. Ovidius University of Constanta (Romania) 8. Düzce University (Turkey) 9. Reykjavik University (Island) 10. Hydrobiological Institute Ohrid (Macedonia) MoEW
ESENIAS-TOOLS Main goal: Networking and development of the necessary tools within ESENIAS to support the management of alien species in Bulgaria Objectives: To develop the necessary technical infrastructure and tools within ESENIAS to support the management of IAS To strengthen the regional cooperation within ESENIAS to ensure early detection and rapid response against IAS To raise the public awareness and gain wide support for combating IAS To develop networking and cooperation with other IAS databases and networks at national, regional and European level
Structure of the project Marine Freshwater Plants Invertebrates Vertebrates WG2 WG3 WG4 WG5 WG6 CS1 CS2 CS3 CS4 WG1 ESENIAS database and IAS tools WG8 WG9 WG10 WG7 Research, management, legislation Capacity Awareness raising EASIN, NOBANIS, DIAS, IUCN SSC/ISSG Project duration: 30 June 2015 30 April 2016 (with extension)
www.esenias.org Thank you!