Building the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN): a novel approach for the exploration of distributed alien species data

The European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN; http://easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu) aims to facilitate the exploration of existing alien species information from distributed sources through a network of interoperable web services, and to assist the implementation of European policies on biological invasions. The network allows extraction of alien species information from online information systems for all species included in the EASIN catalogue. This catalogue was based on an inventory of reported alien species in Europe that was produced by reviewing and standardizing information from 43 online databases. It includes information on taxonomy, synonyms, common names, pathways of introduction, native range in Europe, and impact. EASIN catalogue entails the basic information needed to efficiently link to existing online databases and retrieve spatial information for alien species distribution in Europe. Using search functionality powered by a widget framework, it is possible to make a tailored selection of a subgroup of species based on various criteria (e.g., environment, taxonomy, pathways). Distribution maps of the selected species can be produced dynamically and downloaded by the user. The EASIN web tools and services follow internationally recognized standards and protocols, and can be utilized freely and independently by any website, while ownership of the data remains with its source, which is properly cited and linked.JRC.H.1-Water Resource

European data portal for radioactivity in the environment

A prototype of a web tool to report all environmental samples collected via the following activities EURDEP, REM database and European Atlas of Natural Radiation. This tool must become a part of the REM website and enable users to search, aggregate and export the natural radioactivity data in the view of interactive maps, PDF downloadable.JRC.G.10-Knowledge for Nuclear Security and Safet

Metrology for the mobile detection of ionising radiation following a nuclear or radiological incident - “Preparedness”

Postprint (published version

The European Radiological Data Exchange Platform (EURDEP): 25 years of monitoring data exchange

Abstract. During the early phase of an accident with the release of radioactive material to the environment at the local or transboundary scale, a rapid and continuous system of information exchange, including real-time monitoring data to competent authorities and the public, is critical for setting up countermeasures. This information and data exchange must be carried out in a harmonized and consistent manner to facilitate its interpretation and analysis. After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, and in order to avoid the competent authorities being unprepared again for a similar event, the European Commission (EC) defined and put in place a directive (Council Decision 87/600/EURATOM, 1987) which essentially obliges a member state that decides to implement widespread countermeasures to protect its population to notify the European Commission without delay. The same Council Decision also specifies that the results of radiological monitoring must be made available to the European Commission and all potentially affected member states. Over the past 30 years, the European Commission has invested resources in developing and improving a complete system to carry out this delicate task, currently composed of two platforms: the European Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange (ECURIE) and the European Radiological Data Exchange Platform (EURDEP). This paper aims to increase knowledge of the latter system as a valuable tool for understanding and analysing the radioactivity levels in Europe. Commencing with background information, in this paper, we will describe the EURDEP system in detail, with an emphasis on its status, data availability, and how these data are diffused depending on the audience. Within the scope of this publication, we describe an example of measurements available in the EURDEP system, which to be used for scientific purposes. We provide two complete datasets (air-concentration samples – https://doi.org/10.2905/23CBC7C4-4FCC-47D5-A286-F8A4EDC8215F; De Cort et al., 2019a; and gamma dose rates – https://doi.org/10.2905/0F9F3E2D-C8D7-4F46-BBE7-EACF3EED1560; De Cort et al., 2019b) for the recent radiological release of 106Ru in Europe, which occurred between the end of September and early October 2017. Records stored are publicly accessible through an unrestricted repository called COLLECTION belonging to the JRC Data Public Catalogue (https://data.jrc.ec.europa.eu, last access: 1 July 2019)

EUropean Radiological Data Exchange Platform

EURDEP (EUropean Radiological Data Exchange Platform) is both a standard format for radiological data and a network for the exchange of automatic monitoring data. The latest release of the format is version 2.x, which is in use since the beginning of 2002. The data-format is applied for participation to the EURDEP network, but also for other national and international systems such as CBSS, MODEM, ARGOS, RODOS etc. Since 2013 the platform is compliant with the requirements of the International Radiological Information Exchange (IRIX) format, developed by IAEA. In 2014 EURDEP started the submission of the European radiological data to the International Radiation Monitoring Information System (IRMIS) under provisions given by the Conventions on Early Notification and Assistance in the case of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency (ENAC). In this way EURDEP assures the role of European Regional HUB for IRMIS.JRC.G.10-Knowledge for Nuclear Security and Safet

A novel tool for the exploration of alien species information: the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN)

To implement the European policies for the efficient prevention, early detection, rapid response, and management of biological invasions and also to evaluate management measures, there is a need for accurate, detailed, and timely information on alien species occurrence and distribution (Simpson et al. 2009, Hulme and Weser 2011). The European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) has put efforts towards facilitating the exploration of alien species information in Europe by developing the central platform of the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN; http://easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu/). EASIN aims to facilitate the exploration of existing alien species information from distributed sources through a network of interoperable web services, and to assist the implementation of European policies on biological invasions. To achieve these objectives, EASIN has developed web tools and services that can be utilized freely and independently by any host. Basic functionalities can be accessed using embeddable web widgets having interactive alien species data querying, GIS-based mapping and reporting interfaces. The EASIN web tools and services follow internationally recognized standards and protocols, while ownership of the data remains with its source, which is properly cited and linked. The network allows extraction of alien species information from online information systems for all species included in the EASIN catalogue. This catalogue was based on an inventory of reported alien species in Europe that was produced by reviewing and standardizing information from 43 online databases. Alien species names were extracted for all European countries, i.e. including the 27 EU Member States, the 5 Candidate countries and 17 other European countries. To have full coverage of the four seas surrounding Europe, alien marine species reported from the entire Mediterranean Sea were included, i.e. also from North African and Near East Mediterranean countries. The EASIN catalogue includes information on taxonomy, pathways of introduction (based on the framework proposed by Hulme et al. 2008), native range in Europe, and impact. Compilation of the EASIN catalogue is an on-going process and includes several steps to achieve high quality standards. EASIN catalogue entails the basic information needed to efficiently link to existing online databases and retrieve spatial information for alien species distribution in Europe. Using search functionalities powered by the widget framework, it is possible to make a tailored selection of a subgroup of species based on various criteria (e.g., environment, taxonomy, pathways) (see Figure). Distribution maps of the selected species can be produced ‘on fly’ and downloaded by the user.JRC.H.1-Water Resource

ELNAIS meets EASIN: distribution of marine alien species in Greece using EASIN mapping services and ELNAIS spatial data

The European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) was created with the aim to provide easy access to accurate information on alien species in Europe. EASIN allows the retrieval of spatial information from existing online data providers in order to produce integrated georeferenced distribution maps of alien species in Europe. In November 2012, a new data provider, the Ellenic Network on Aquatic Invasive Species (ELNAIS), joined EASIN; this has significantly increased the available georeferenced information on marine/estuarine alien species in Greek waters. Here, we use maps created by EASIN to show differences in patterns of distribution in Greece for the most abundant Phyla of marine alien species - Mollusca, Arthropoda, Chordata and Annelida. We also show that the two main pathways of introduction of marine alien species (Lessepsian migration and Shipping) are related to different patterns of species spatial distribution in Greece. Overall, the tools provided by EASIN can greatly aid scientists and policy makers in obtaining high quality information on marine alien species in Greece, especially after the association with ELNAIS.JRC.H.1-Water Resource

The European Union Radiological Data Exchange Platform (EURDEP): 25 years of monitoring data exchange

During the early phase of an accident with release of radioactive material to the atmosphere having an environmental impact at local or transboundary scale, a rapid and continuous notification and exchange of information including real-time environmental monitoring data to competent authorities and the public is essential to effect appropriate countermeasures. A rapid exchange of information and data must be carried out in a harmonised and consistent manner to facilitate its interpretation and analysis. After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, and in order to avoid that competent authorities be unprepared again for a similar event, the European Commission defined and put in place a Directive (Council Decision 87/600/EURATOM) which essentially obliges a member state that decides to implement widespread countermeasures to protect its population to notify the European Commission without delay. The same Council Decision also specifies that the results of radiological monitoring must be made available to the Commission and all potentially affected member states. Over the past 30 years, the European Commission has invested resources in developing and improving a complete system to carry out this delicate task, currently composed of two platforms: the European Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange, ECURIE, and the European Radiological Data Exchange Platform, EURDEP. This paper aims to increase knowledge of this latter system as a valuable tool to understand and analyse the radioactivity levels in Europe. Commencing with background information, in this paper, we will describe the EURDEP system in detail, with an emphasis on its status, data availability, and how these data are diffused depending on the audience. Within the scope of this publication, we describe an example of measurements available in the EURDEP system, to be used for scientific purposes. We provide two complete datasets (air concentration samples, http://data.europa.eu/89h/23cbc7c4-4fcc-47d5-a286-f8a4edc8215f (De Cort et al., 2019a) and gamma dose rates, http://data.europa.eu/89h/0f9f3e2d-c8d7-4f46-bbe7-eacf3eed1560 (De Cort et al., 2019b)) for the recent radiological release of 106Ru in Europe which occurred between the end of September and early October 2017. Records stored are publicly accessible through an unrestricted repository called “COLLECTION” belonging to JRC Data Public Catalogue ( https://data.jrc.ec.europa.eu).JRC.G.10-Knowledge for Nuclear Security and Safet

Implementing the European policies for alien species: networking, science, and partnership in a complex environment

The European Commission has recognized the need for more stringent action to manage biological invasions and has committed to develop a dedicated legislative instrument. Under this upcoming legislation, European countries and their relevant institutions will have additional obligations and commitments in respect to invasive alien species. In September 2012, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) launched the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) to facilitate the exploration of existing alien species information from distributed sources and to assist the implementation of European policies on biological invasions. Subsequent to the launching of EASIN, there was an evident need to define its niche within a complex environment of global, European, regional and national information systems. Herein we propose an organizational chart clearly defining the role of each actor in this framework, and we emphasize the need for collaboration in order to effectively support EU policies