The challenges presented by IAS span freshwater, terrestrial and marine environments, demanding coordinated responses at local, national and regional levels. In addressing these demands, the IUCN team has identified some common themes on which to focus, generally following the pattern of priority pathways, and identification, surveillance and management of species.
One notable output is the recently published Surveillance guidelines for IAS in the marine environment, the result of interactive workshops with stakeholders from the Baltic, Black and Mediterranean Seas, as well as the north east Atlantic Ocean. The guidelines provide the framework for designing an effective IAS surveillance programme - identifying sampling sites, implementing sampling techniques and considering long-term data management. The illustrations contained within are freely available for non-commercial use.
The team is also working to align IAS policy with complementary biodiversity policies, for example the EU Pollinators Initiative. This approach recently yielded a report on invasive alien plants most harmful to pollinators in the EU and their management, focusing on non-chemical methods. Such synergies reflect the increasing recognition that coordinated, cross-sectoral strategies are essential to achieving the EU biodiversity goals.
Looking ahead, the IUCN team plans to continue delivering high-quality, practical resources, made possible through collaboration with colleagues working across Europe and beyond. All information is freely available on the dedicated IUCN IAS webpage. Stay tuned for more!
Actions to tackle invasive alien species
in the European Union
The IUCN Invasive Alien Species (IAS) team is assisting the European Commission with the implementation of EU IAS Regulation 1143/2014, aimed at tackling the ecological and economic challenges posed by IAS. Working closely with the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) and other stakeholders, the team is developing resources and strategies to address this environmental priority.
To raise awareness and understanding of the regulation, the team have produced accessible materials such as An Introduction to the EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species. Additional resources, including detailed guidance on Key complex terms used in the Regulation, offer further clarity and support broader understanding.
The IAS Regulation currently centres on 88 species of Union concern – 47 animals and 41 plants – selected for their Union-wide impact on biodiversity. These species threaten native ecosystems through rapid reproduction, extensive dispersal and competition for resources. In addition to an inviting series of themed posters, the IUCN team has produced high-resolution illustrations for each of these species, enabling policymakers, managers and educators to incorporate these visually engaging tools into their outreach efforts. These readily available resources are licensed for non-commercial use and come with full attribution details.
Illustration above. Vespa velutina nigrithorax (artist: Massimiliano Lipperi ©) European Commission)
Illustration above: Ailanthus altissima (artist: Massimiliano Lipperi © European Commission)
INVASIONS BULLETIN
Support for policy
Katie Costello, Tamryn Venter, Grace Bond, Konstantin Gospodinov,
Riccardo Scalera, Kevin Smith, Ana Nunes
IUCN, Cambridge (UK)