[Invasive-species] Black and watch lists of invasive speciesinBelgium

[Strubbe Diederik]

Dear Etienne,

I am working on a paper about the effect of the Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri on native cavity nesting birds. In both 2004 and 2005 I found a significant negative correlation between the abundance of the parakeet and the abundance of nuthatches Sitta europaea (after statistically correcting for relevant habitat features). I will collect some more data the next few months, add them to the analysis and finish the paper then. I am also planning some experiments in which I will manipulate the cavity availability in some city parks to provide experimental support for the relationships found.
The Ring-necked Parakeet is certainly invasive if you consider the spread : most European populations keep growing and expanding ( estimate 30.000 -35.000 ringnecks in whole Europe by now). About damage : 
-	no agricultural problems ( some people that live in the neighbourhood of a high density parakeet area complain about parakeets destroying their fruit trees, but this is not a major agro)econmic problem). In the UK one record of parakeet destroying a vineyard (Butler, 2003)
-	impact on native species : so far my study is the only one which recorded a negative effect.  From the UK, “anecdotal observations suggest that the Nuthatch has declined in some woodlands since the parakeets appeared” (English Nature, 2005)

best regards,

Diederik


Diederik Strubbe
Laboratory of Animal Ecology
Department of Biology, University of Antwerp
Universiteitsplein 1
B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
http://webhost.ua.ac.be/deco
tel : 32 3 820 2262



-----Original Message-----
From: invasive-species-bounces at biodiversity.be on behalf of BRANQUART Etienne
Sent: Tue 2/7/2006 5:29 PM
To: Invasive alien species in Belgium
Subject: Re: [Invasive-species] Black and watch lists of invasive speciesinBelgium
 
Dear colleagues,

I received several e-mails related to the inclusion or the exclusion of bird species in the black list/category A (e.g.  Alopochen aegyptiacus, Branta canadensis and Pisttacula spp.). Olivier Beck (IBGE-BIM) and Anne Weiserbs (AVES) suggest to include them in the list, mainly on the basis of the precautionary approach. One problem I see is that we do not have serious arguments to demonstrate that they are really detrimental to the environment, at least in the Brussels region (except noise and droppings). On the other hand, I know by Anny Anselin (INBO) that eradication of Branta candensis already started in Flanders... 

My position is as follows : if detrimental impact is proved > category A, if detrimental impact is only supposed > category B. That's why I would like to know if you are aware of scientific studies showing any detrimental impact of those bird species in Belgium or in neighbour areas. Thanks a lot in advance,

Etienne
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: BRANQUART Etienne 
  To: Invasive alien species in Belgium 
  Cc: Maj De Poorter 
  Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 6:18 PM
  Subject: [Invasive-species] Black and watch lists of invasive species inBelgium


  Dear All,

  I produced a first attempt of black and watch list of invasive species for Belgium (see word document here attached). Category definitions were modified to take into account remarks provided by Leo, Filip, Nora and Roger as much as possible ...

  We now have two main categories that include species with a potential impact on environment, public health or economy, i.e. black and watch lists. It has to be noted that I decided to include in the black list some species which are not yet really naturalised or do not develop large populations in Belgium but that are well known to produce detrimental impacts in neighbour areas (e.g. Aedes, Ambrosia, Ludwigia, etc.). I think it is important not to omit them so that our list can be used as a tool to eradicate the first populations of undesirable species soon after their arrival in Belgium, which is the most cost efficient way to get rid of them.

  The work file I used to categorise species is also attached (pdf file).  You will see that some species are still not included in any category as background information was missing... I hope I can rely on your own expertise on specific taxa to fill those gaps.

  I hope we will succeed to finalise these lists as a product of the Belgian Invasive Species Forum before the SOS invasions meeting (lists should be distributed to conference attendees !). Any remark, suggestion, addition to the discussion document are of course very welcome through the discussion list (general discussion) or through my e-mail address solely (minor remarks or corrections).

  Thank you in advance for your help. Have a very nice WE,

  Etienne

  PS: Few economic pest species are included in the lists up to now. Do you think it is feasible to add major culture pathogens and pests in the lists (including fungi, nematodes, etc.) ? Do you know if this information is already available somewhere (AFSCA ? EPPO ?...) ?

  ==========================================================================
   
  Dr.  Etienne Branquart
  Belgian Biodiversity Platform (SPO)
   
  Ministere de la Region wallonne
  Centre de Recherche de la Nature, des Forets et du Bois (DGRNE)
  Avenue Marechal Juin, 23
  B-5030 Gembloux- Belgium
   
  Tel :   + 32 (0)81 620 420
  Fax :  + 32 (0)81 620 436
  E-mail : E.Branquart at mrw.wallonie.be
  URL: http://www.biodiversity.be
   
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