Publisher : Biodiversity and Conservation - Springer
Place of publication :
Publication year : 2020
Thematic : Conservation
Language : English
Note
Inaction concerning the dispersal of invasive alien species (IAS) via their adherence to
anthropogenic vectors remains a global issue for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems
(Piria et al. 2017; Ulman et al. 2019; Smith et al. 2020). Although IAS can have detrimental effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across terrestrial and aquatic
environments, given their exposure to multiple transport pathways, aquatic ecosystems are
considered especially vulnerable to biological invasions and their impacts (Ricciardi and
MacIsaac 2011). In addition, unlike terrestrial ecosystems, submerged aquatic environments are particularly difficult to monitor and, consequently, invasions are often well
advanced before they become readily apparent (Beric and MacIsaac 2015).
Since 2014, European Union (EU) Regulation no. 1143 has provided the basis for
improved spread-prevention, control and eradication of IAS amongst Member States (EU
2014). This legislation commendably targets the transportation, exchanging, keeping and
releasing of selected problematic invaders, known as Species of Union Concern. In effect,
for these ‘black-listed’ species, trade, deliberate transport, cultivation/breeding, release and
ownership is now prohibited within EU territories. In addition, Articles 7(2) and 13 of the
Regulation emphasise the requirement for Member States to take all necessary steps to
prevent the unintentional introduction or spread of Species of Unions Concern. As of
August 2019, this list has grown to encompass 66 IAS, including some thirty aquatic or
semi-aquatic species.
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Keywords : Habitat disturbance
Encoded by : Pauline Carmel Joy Eje
