[Invasive-species] ISEIA, a new protocol for the assessment of the ecological impact of non-native species in Belgium

[BRANQUART Etienne]

Dear colleagues,

As you probably know, the Belgian Forum on Invasive Species (BFIS) is responsible for preparing and updating the reference list of non-native species invading terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems in Belgium and neighbour areas, with a focus on organisms causing a strong detrimental impact on native biodiversity. This list will be used in the future by federal and regional authorities to support prevention and mitigation actions in the field.

Scientific data about the most detrimental species are gathered through the Harmonia information system, that was launched for a test phase with about 100 species belonging to vascular plants and vertebrates (see http://ias.biodiversity.be).

The Harmonia system will be improved in a near future through the following steps: 

  1.. Data reviewing - Accreditation of data and assessment of the ecological impact of the different species already included in the database based on a standardised procedure (= ISEIA protocol). Species will be allocated to black and watch lists based on this protocol;
  2.. Entering additional species - Other species will be added to the database after approval of the ISEIA protocol , including organisms from other taxonomic groups (algae, invertebrates, etc.).
Please find here attached the last version of the ISEIA protocol, which has been elaborated and tested with the contribution of 20 scientists involved in the BFIS, focusing on vascular plants, insects, fish, birds and mammals. As you will see, only non-native species that are already present in Western Europe are considered by the protocol (it doesn't intend to provide a full screening tool for species which are not yet established in our regions). The first results we get show that the ISEIA protocol is usable for most groups without any major problem and that repeatability is quite good (different assessors provide similar results). Thanks a lot to the different assessors who provided data and nice discussion elements.

I would like to make use of the BFIS discussion list to know if some points of this protocol deserve to be modified or improved, before its implementation in the Harmonia information system. Any comments or suggestions are still very welcome.

Thank you very much in advance for your contribution. Very best regards,

Etienne

PS1: an open meeting will be organised before the summertime to present the results of the assessments and discuss practical use of the list system for prioritising prevention and mitigation actions.

PS2: other people that are interested to participate to the impact assessment of specific organisms can contact me.

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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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