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Developing a list of invasive alien species likely to threaten biodiversity and ecosystems in the European Union
Author(s) -
Roy Helen E.,
Bacher Sven,
Essl Franz,
Adriaens Tim,
Aldridge David C.,
Bishop John D. D.,
Blackburn Tim M.,
Branquart Etienne,
Brodie Juliet,
Carboneras Carles,
Cottier-Cook Elizabeth J.,
Copp Gordon H.,
Dean Hannah J.,
Eilenberg Jørgen,
Gallardo Belinda,
Garcia Mariana,
GarcíaBerthou Emili,
Genovesi Piero,
Hulme Philip E.,
Kenis Marc,
Kerckhof Francis,
Kettunen Marianne,
Minchin Dan,
Nentwig Wolfgang,
Nieto Ana,
Pergl Jan,
Pescott Oliver L.,
M. Peyton Jodey,
Preda Cristina,
Roques Alain,
Rorke Steph L.,
Scalera Riccardo,
Schindler Stefan,
Schönrogge Karsten,
Sewell Jack,
Solarz Wojciech,
Stewart Alan J. A.,
Tricarico Elena,
Vanderhoeven Sonia,
Velde Gerard,
Vilà Montserrat,
Wood Christine A.,
Zenetos Argyro,
Rabitsch Wolfgang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
global change biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.146
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1365-2486
pISSN - 1354-1013
DOI - 10.1111/gcb.14527
Subject(s) - biodiversity , european union , global biodiversity , geography , iucn red list , environmental resource management , threatened species , legislation , thematic map , ecology , invasive species , environmental planning , political science , biology , business , cartography , environmental science , habitat , international trade , law
The European Union ( EU ) has recently published its first list of invasive alien species ( IAS ) of EU concern to which current legislation must apply. The list comprises species known to pose great threats to biodiversity and needs to be maintained and updated. Horizon scanning is seen as critical to identify the most threatening potential IAS that do not yet occur in Europe to be subsequently risk assessed for future listing. Accordingly, we present a systematic consensus horizon scanning procedure to derive a ranked list of potential IAS likely to arrive, establish, spread and have an impact on biodiversity in the region over the next decade. The approach is unique in the continental scale examined, the breadth of taxonomic groups and environments considered, and the methods and data sources used. International experts were brought together to address five broad thematic groups of potential IAS . For each thematic group the experts first independently assembled lists of potential IAS not yet established in the EU but potentially threatening biodiversity if introduced. Experts were asked to score the species within their thematic group for their separate likelihoods of i) arrival, ii) establishment, iii) spread, and iv) magnitude of the potential negative impact on biodiversity within the EU . Experts then convened for a 2‐day workshop applying consensus methods to compile a ranked list of potential IAS . From an initial working list of 329 species, a list of 66 species not yet established in the EU that were considered to be very high (8 species), high (40 species) or medium (18 species) risk species was derived. Here, we present these species highlighting the potential negative impacts and the most likely biogeographic regions to be affected by these potential IAS.