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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear colleagues,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I would like to inform you that a new website for
the BFIS has just been launched at : <A
href="http://ias.biodiversity.be">http://ias.biodiversity.be</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The major improvement of the new website is the
integration of an interoperable database on invasive alien species in
Belgium, Harmonia. Harmonia aims at gathering knowledge about species that are
invasive in Belgium at present and those that may in the future become invasive
and are already present in neighbour countries (early warning system). Collected
information focuses on naturalization in Belgium/Europe, reproduction in the
wild, introduction pathways, preferred habitats, as well as different kind of
impacts on native biodiversity and ecosystems. As far as possible, photographs
and references from the scientific literature are linked to this information. On
this basis, exotic species are allocated to different lists or risk categories,
to be used for elaborating control strategies and undertaking concrete actions
in the field.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The system has been launched for a test phase with
100 species belonging to vascular plants and vertebrates. Additional species
from other taxonomic groups will be added in the future. Very soon, the
possibility will be given to scientists to enter new species through an online
form. Data will be published on the website after being reviewed by a scientific
committee.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Note that the main objective of this website is to
really reflect the activities and the knowledge of Belgian scientists working on
biological invasions. Do not hesitate to provide information or digital pictures
to feed the system, to propose the addition of new species to the database, to
announce topical events or new publications you have written, etc. Any
comment on website contents is also very welcome.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I hope you will enjoy this new website. Very best
regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Etienne Branquart</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial
size=2>==========================================================================<BR> <BR>Dr.
Etienne Branquart<BR>Belgian Biodiversity Platform (SPO)<BR> <BR>Ministere
de la Region wallonne<BR>Centre de Recherche de la Nature, des Forets et du Bois
(DGRNE)<BR>Avenue Marechal Juin, 23<BR>B-5030 Gembloux- Belgium<BR> <BR>Tel
: + 32 (0)81 620 420<BR>Fax : + 32 (0)81 620 436<BR>E-mail :
<A
href="mailto:E.Branquart@mrw.wallonie.be">E.Branquart@mrw.wallonie.be</A><BR>URL:
<A
href="http://www.biodiversity.be">http://www.biodiversity.be</A><BR> <BR>==========================================================================<BR> <BR>Ce
message n'engage aucunement la DGRNE et reste informel. Tout
courrier<BR>officiel doit toujours actuellement être confirmé par lettre et
revêtu de la<BR>signature d'un agent dûment
mandaté<BR>==========================================================================</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>