Protecting Biodiversity from Invasive Alien Species by Improving Policy Instruments in Greece: The INVALIS Project Action Plan

The Protecting European Biodiversity from Invasive Alien Species (INVALIS) project objective is to improve policies for protecting biodiversity from invasive alien species (IAS), by bringing together seven partners from seven countries and supporting policy measures for prevention, early detection, and control of IAS in their respective territories. The project is funded by the Interreg Europe program. The learning process of the INVALIS project consisted of various experience-exchanging activities among the project partners (interregional workshops, site visits, etc.), as well as among stakeholders at a regional level. This exchange of experiences led to the drafting of regional Action Plans by each partner. The INVALIS Action Plan of Greece is based on an analysis of the current situation of IAS management in Greece, and the transfer of good practices and conclusions derived from the exchange of experiences. Gaps in IAS management were identified mainly in the areas of raising public awareness of IAS and networking among IAS stakeholders. As a result, three actions were proposed to address these deficits: initiating a project on education and raising awareness about IAS, creating a web portal on these species, and establishing an IAS management working group. These actions will contribute towards improving specific policy instruments in Greece.

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First occurrence of the invasive alien species Polydora cornuta Bosc, 1802 (Polychaeta: Spionidae) on the coast of Greece (Elefsis Bay; Aegean Sea)

Mediterranean Marine Science ◽

10.12681/mms.138 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 119 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

N. SIMBOURA ◽

K. SIGALA ◽

E. VOUTSINAS ◽

E. KALKAN

Keyword(s):

Alien Species ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Aegean Sea ◽

Izmir Bay ◽

First Finding ◽

First Occurrence ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Of Greece

The present study reports on the occurrence of two specimens of the alien species Polydora cornutaBosc, 1802, in Elefsis Bay, the Saronikos Gulf (Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean). This is the firstrecord of this invasive alien species on the coast of Greece and the second report in the eastern MediterraneanSea after its first finding in Izmir Bay (on the Turkish Aegean coast). This finding enhances its distributionalpattern within the Mediterranean

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POPULATION AWARENESS OF THE HARMFULNESS OF SOSNOWSKY'S HOGWEED IN REZEKNE MUNICIPALITY

SOCIETY INTEGRATION EDUCATION Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference ◽

10.17770/sie2017vol4.2329 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 281

Author(s):

Inta Kotane ◽

Anda Zvaigzne

Keyword(s):

Alien Species ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

The Public ◽

Land Owners ◽

Data Grouping ◽

Research Grant

Invasive alien species are one of the most urgent problems to be addressed to maintain biodiversity in the world. Sosnowsky's hogweed (Heracleum sosnowskyi) has been included in Latvia’s list of invasive alien species. The population’s awareness of the problem of Sosnowsky's hogweed may be viewed as one of the preventive measures to avoid the spread of the weed, which also allows optimally using financial resources. Research studies show that the levels of public awareness of Sosnowsky's hogweed and its harmfulness are different. The paper is based on the implementation results for the research grant "Investigation into the Information Society regarding the Control and Hazards of Sosnowsky's Hogweed in Rezekne Municipality”. The research aim of the paper is to examine the Rezekne municipality population’s awareness of the harmfulness of Sosnowsky's hogweed and their wish to acquire or build up their knowledge about the harmfulness of Sosnowsky's hogweed based on the results of a survey/interview of experts and a survey of the population. The research results – the results of the survey and the interview – revealed that the population could identify Sosnowsky's hogweed in nature, and the population, including agricultural land owners/managers were sufficiently informed about the harmfulness of Sosnowsky's hogweed. For the population, the most appropriate way of acquiring information about Sosnowsky's hogweed would be Internet websites, even though the experts considered the websites to be a partly effective way of informing the public. Research methods used: monographic, descriptive, analysis, synthesis, data grouping and sociological methods – a survey/interview of industry experts and a survey of the population.

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A benefit-cost analysis framework for prioritization of control programs for well-established invasive alien species

NeoBiota ◽

10.3897/neobiota.68.62122 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 68 ◽

pp. 31-52

Author(s):

Rakel Blaalid ◽

Kristin Magnussen ◽

Nina Bruvik Westberg ◽

Ståle Navrud

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Cost Analysis ◽

Alien Species ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Social Benefits ◽

Benefit Cost Analysis ◽

Control Programs ◽

Benefit Cost ◽

And Control ◽

Established Species

Invasive alien species (IAS) are identified as a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services. While early detection and control programs to avoid establishments of new alien species can be very cost-effective, control costs for well-established species can be enormous. Many of these well-established species constitute severe or high ecological impact and are thus likely to be included in control programs. However, due to limited funds, we need to prioritize which species to control according to the gains in ecological status and human well-being compared to the costs. Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) provides such a tool but has been hampered by the difficulties in assessing the overall social benefits on the same monetary scale as the control costs. In order to overcome this obstacle, we combine a non-monetary benefit assessment tool with the ecosystem service framework to create a benefit assessment in line with the welfare economic underpinnings of BCA. Our simplified BCA prioritization tool enables us to conduct rapid and cheap appraisals of large numbers of invasive species that the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre has found to cause negative ecological impacts. We demonstrate this application on 30 well-established invasive alien vascular plant species in Norway. Social benefits are calculated and aggregated on a benefit point scale for six impact categories: four types of ecosystem services (supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural), human health and infrastructure impacts. Total benefit points are then compared to the total control costs of programs aiming at eradicating individual IAS across Norway or in selected vulnerable ecosystems. Although there are uncertainties with regards to IAS population size, benefits assessment and control program effectiveness and costs; our simplified BCA tool identified six species associated with robust low cost-benefit ratios in terms of control costs (in million USD) per benefit point. As a large share of public funds for eradication of IAS is currently spent on control programs for other plant species, we recommend that the environmental authorities at all levels use our BCA prioritization tool to increase the social benefits of their limited IAS control budgets. In order to maximize the net social benefits of IAS control programs, environmental valuation studies of their ecosystem service benefits are needed.

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EPPO perspective on Agrilus planipennis (Emerald Ash Borer) and Agrilus anxius (Bronze Birch Borer)

Forestry An International Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1093/forestry/cpz045 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

F Petter ◽

A Orlinski ◽

M Suffert ◽

A S Roy ◽

M Ward

Keyword(s):

Plant Protection ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Emerald Ash Borer ◽

Agrilus Planipennis ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

Horizon Scanning ◽

Raising Awareness ◽

Bronze Birch Borer ◽

Phytosanitary Measures ◽

And Control

Abstract One of the main aims of EPPO is to help its member countries to prevent entry or spread of dangerous pests (plant quarantine). The Organization has therefore been given the task of identifying pests which may present a risk (early warning/horizon scanning), evaluating their risk for the region and making proposals on the phytosanitary measures which can be taken against them (Pest Risk Analysis). Standards are also developed, including standards on how to eradicate and control pests. In addition to the development of Standards, activities on communication and citizen science (development of guidelines on raising public awareness and the production of toolkits to use in raising awareness campaigns) have also recently been started. The EPPO Secretariat was alerted by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Sweden in 2003, and Norway in 2010, to two potential new pests, Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis (Fairmaire) and Bronze birch borer, Agrilus anxius (Gory) respectively. Because of the importance of these two pests for forest species in the EPPO region, member countries agreed that EPPO recommendations should be prepared. The different EPPO activities relevant to A. planipennis and A. anxius are presented, highlighting the challenges they currently pose to the region.

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Impact and control of invasive alien species on small islands

International Forestry Review ◽

10.1505/ifor.4.4.277.40525 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 277-285 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

M.E. Dulloo ◽

S.P. Kell ◽

C.G. Jones

Keyword(s):

Alien Species ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Small Islands ◽

And Control

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Invasive Siberian chipmunks Eutamias sibiricus in Italy: a socio-ecological analysis indicates that they could, and should, be removed

10.1101/535088 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jacopo Cerri ◽

Emiliano Mori ◽

Rudy Zozzoli ◽

Andrea Gigliotti ◽

Antony Chirco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alien Species ◽

Pest Control ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Invasive Pest ◽

Geographic Profiling ◽

Control Programs ◽

Rapid Removal ◽

Strong Attachment ◽

And Control ◽

Eutamias Sibiricus

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDEradication of invasive alien species is a form of pest control linked to biodiversity conservation that usually involves killing animals. Squirrels are prominent among invasive alien species in Italy with four species introduced. Three of them are included within the list of alien species of European concern and their eradication and control is recommended. However, their local control is not an easy task, being highly appreciated by the general public. We propose a socio-ecological approach to evaluate the feasibility of eradicating Siberian chipmunks (Eutamias sibiricus) populations. We performed a structured questionnaire to assess the social perception of invasive Siberian chipmunks in urban parks where they occur and to identify groups of visitors who might oppose eradication. We also carried out geographic profiling to test for the spatial expansion of chipmunk populations.RESULTSOverall, park visitors regarded chipmunks positively and appreciated to see them, but human-chipmunk interactions were still rare. We did not identify any group of visitors with a strong attachment to chipmunks, who might oppose future control programs. Geographic profiling showed that chipmunks in Valeggio sul Mincio are starting to expand outside of their introduction site.CONCLUSIONSData from questionnaires show that chipmunks eradication, coupled with adequate communication initiatives, might be feasible. Moreover, geographic profiling indicates that time for a rapid removal is running out. Socio-ecological approaches, combining the analysis of structured questionnaires administered to stakeholders and statistical modeling of pest observations, could be a valuable tool to decide the feasibility and the urgency of invasive pest control.

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Alientoma, a Dynamic Database for Alien Insects in Greece and Its Use by Citizen Scientists in Mapping Alien Species

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12121101 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 1101

Author(s):

Konstantinos Kalaentzis ◽

Christos Kazilas ◽

Jakovos Demetriou ◽

Evangelos Koutsoukos ◽

Dimitrios N. Avtzis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alien Species ◽

Scientific Community ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Global Scale ◽

Scale Insects ◽

Online Database ◽

The Public ◽

Major Threat ◽

Adverse Impacts ◽

Raising Awareness

Invasive alien species have been increasingly acknowledged as a major threat to native biodiversity and ecosystem services, while their adverse impacts expand to human health, society and the economy on a global scale. Insects represent one of the most numerous alien organismic groups, accounting for about one fifth of their total number. In Greece, a large number of alien insects have been identified, currently reaching 469 species. In recent decades, the contribution of citizen science towards detecting and mapping the distribution of alien insects has been steeply increasing. Addressing the need for up-to-date information on alien species as well as encouraging public participation in scientific research, the Alientoma website—derived from “alien” and the Greek word “entoma”, meaning insects, is presented. The website aims towards providing updated information on alien species of insects to the public as well as the scientific community, raising awareness about biological invasions and addressing their distribution and impacts inter alia. By maintaining a dynamic online database alongside a strong social media presence since its launch, Alientoma has attracted individuals mainly from Greece and Cyprus, interacting with the website through a total of 1512 sessions. Alientoma intends to establish a constantly increasing network of citizen scientists and to supplement early detection, monitoring and management efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts of alien insects in Greece.

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Setting-up a billboard of marine invasive species in the ESENIAS area

Acta Adriatica ◽

10.32582/aa.58.3.4 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 58 (3) ◽

pp. 429-457 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Paraskevi K. Karachle ◽

Argyro Zenetos ◽

Irfan Uysal ◽

Victor Surugiu ◽

Kremena Stefanova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

Alien Species ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Warning System ◽

Management Measures ◽

Horizon Scanning ◽

Marine Invasive Species ◽

Established Species ◽

Ship Ballast Water ◽

Of Greece

In this study we present a list of invasive/potential invasive alien species in the East and South European Network for Invasive Alien Species (ESENIAS) countries with marine borders. The species were classified according to the existing literature and experts’ judgment, as established, casual, invasive and expected. Finally, factsheets were compiled for ten species of high importance based on their expanding/invading character. Of the 160 species comprising the list, 149 were already present in the ESENIAS countries, while eleven were invasive species either present in the Mediterranean or in other European Seas, likely to be recorded in the ESENIAS countries. The majority of the species were of Red Sea/IndoPacific origin (97 species; 60.6%). Italy, Turkey and Greece were the countries with the highest representation of species (159, 152 and 139 species respectively), due to their extended coastline and the number of scholars working on marine invasive species. The highest number of established species was recorded in Turkey (116 species), whereas in Italy and Greece the most numerous species were the “expected” ones (85 and 48 species, respectively). The eastern Adriatic Sea countries (i.e. Albania, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia) had generally low numbers of species in this list, many of which are still “expected” to arrive from the neighbouring countries of Greece and Italy. Finally, the most frequently potential pathway was transfer stowaways (ship ballast water: 41 cases; ship hull fouling: 55), whereas unaided spread of Lessepsian immigrants followed (95 cases). This list is intended to serve as an early warning system that through horizon scanning process would assist ESENIAS countries to prioritise invasive alien species, their pathways and the areas of higher likelihood to appear, in order to take management measures.

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Public Awareness and Perceptions of Invasive Alien Species in Small Towns

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10121322 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 1322

Author(s):

Nolwethu Jubase ◽

Ross T. Shackleton ◽

John Measey

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Alien Species ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Small Towns ◽

Western Cape ◽

Local Perceptions ◽

The Public ◽

And Gender ◽

Demographic Covariates

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a growing threat globally and cause a variety of ecological, economic, and social impacts. People can introduce IAS and facilitate their spread, and can also implement, support, or oppose their management. Understanding local knowledge, awareness, and perceptions are therefore crucial if management and policy are to be effective. We administered questionnaires to members of the public in eight small towns along the Berg River Catchment in the biodiverse fynbos biome of South Africa. We aimed to assess: (1) awareness of IAS by the general public, (2) local perceptions of the impacts associated with IAS, (3) whether awareness of IAS is correlated with demographic covariates and IAS density, and (4) people’s willingness to detect, report, and support IAS management. Overall, 262 respondents participated in the survey. Most respondents (65%) did not know what IAS are, and 10% were unsure. Many respondents also perceived IAS as beneficial. Using a logistic regression, we found that IAS density, educational level, and gender influenced people’s knowledge and perceptions about IAS in the region. There were a small number (4%) of respondents currently detecting and reporting IAS, but many respondents were interested to learn more. We concluded that people living in small towns in the Western Cape of South Africa remain largely unaware of IAS and their impacts. It is crucial to increase awareness-raising initiatives, and build support and engagement in management of IAS in small towns.

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Blacklists do not necessarily make people curious about invasive alien species. A case study with Bayesian structural time series and Wikipedia searches about invasive mammals in Italy

10.32942/osf.io/t4hm9 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jacopo Cerri ◽

Sandro Bertolino ◽

Lucilla Carnevali ◽

Andrea Monaco ◽

Piero Genovesi

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Biological Invasions ◽

Alien Species ◽

Media Coverage ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Public Awareness ◽

The European Union ◽

Structural Time Series ◽

Invasive Mammals ◽

Structural Time

Blacklists of invasive alien species are a popular tool to manage and prevent biological invasions. Furthermore, by providing accessible examples of invasive alien species and by having a certain media resonance, they can in principle raise the awareness and make laypeople curious towards this topic. However, no study ever tested for this side-effect of blacklists. We tested if the implementation of the first blacklist of invasive alien species of the European concern, by the European Union in August 2016, increased visits to Wikipedia pages about invasive alien mammals in Italy. We adopted Bayesian Structural Time Series, using native mammals as a synthetic control, and we considered both invasive alien mammals that appeared on the list and those which were not included.Following the publication of the first European blacklist of invasive alien species, there was no increase in the amount of weekly visits to the Wikipedia pages about invasive mammals. This was true both for species that were included in the list and those which were not. Rather increased search volumes were syncronous to other events that had media resonance. Our results indicate that important policymaking initiatives, do not necessarily raise public awareness about biological invasions, even when these policies, such as blacklists, are easy to understand and have a certain media coverage. We emphasize the importance of coupling them with adequate communication campaigns and also to develop communication guidelines for the media.

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