A horizon scan exercise for aquatic invasive alien species in Iberian inland waters

As the number of introduced species keeps increasing unabatedly, identifying and prioritising current and potential Invasive Alien Species (IAS) has become essential to manage them. Horizon Scanning (HS), defined as an exploration of potential threats, is considered a fundamental component of IAS management. By combining scientific knowledge on taxa with expert opinion, we identified the most relevant aquatic IAS in the Iberian Peninsula, i.e., those with the greatest geographic extent (or probability of introduction), severe ecological, economic and human health impacts, greatest difficulty and acceptability of management. We highlighted the 126 most relevant IAS already present in Iberian inland waters (i.e., Concern list) and 89 with a high probability of being introduced in the near future (i.e., Alert list), of which 24 and 10 IAS, respectively, were considered as a management priority after receiving the highest scores in the expert assessment (i.e., top-ranked IAS). In both lists, aquatic IAS belonging to the four thematic groups (plants, freshwater invertebrates, estuarine invertebrates, and vertebrates) were identified as having been introduced through various pathways from different regions of the world and classified according to their main functional feeding groups. Also, the latest update of the list of IAS of Union concern pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 includes only 12 top-ranked IAS identified for the Iberian Peninsula, while the national lists incorporate the vast majority of them. This fact underlines the great importance of taxa prioritisation exercises at biogeographical scales as a step prior to risk analyses and their inclusion in national lists. This HS provides a robust assessment and a cost-effective strategy for decision-makers and stakeholders to prioritise the use of limited resources for IAS prevention and management. Although applied at a transnational level in a European biodiversity hotspot, this approach is designed for potential application at any geographical or administrative scale, including the continental one

Increasing Potential Risk of a Global Aquatic Invader in Europe in Contrast to Other Continents under Future Climate Change

BACKGROUND: Anthropogenically-induced climate change can alter the current climatic habitat of non-native species and can have complex effects on potentially invasive species. Predictions of the potential distributions of invasive species under climate change will provide critical information for future conservation and management strategies. Aquatic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to invasive species and climate change, but the effect of climate change on invasive species distributions has been rather neglected, especially for notorious global invaders. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We used ecological niche models (ENMs) to assess the risks and opportunities that climate change presents for the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), which is a worldwide aquatic invasive species. Linking the factors of climate, topography, habitat and human influence, we developed predictive models incorporating both native and non-native distribution data of the crayfish to identify present areas of potential distribution and project the effects of future climate change based on a consensus-forecast approach combining the CCCMA and HADCM3 climate models under two emission scenarios (A2a and B2a) by 2050. The minimum temperature from the coldest month, the human footprint and precipitation of the driest quarter contributed most to the species distribution models. Under both the A2a and B2a scenarios, P. clarkii shifted to higher latitudes in continents of both the northern and southern hemispheres. However, the effect of climate change varied considerately among continents with an expanding potential in Europe and contracting changes in others. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings are the first to predict the impact of climate change on the future distribution of a globally invasive aquatic species. We confirmed the complexities of the likely effects of climate change on the potential distribution of globally invasive species, and it is extremely important to develop wide-ranging and effective control measures according to predicted geographical shifts and changes

LISTA NEGRA Y LISTA DE ALERTA DE ESPECIES EXÓTICAS INVASORAS ACUÁTICAS DE LA PENÍNSULA IBÉRICA - Ejercicio de exploración del horizonte transnacional centrado en las especies exóticas invasoras acuáticas de alto riesgo para las aguas interiores ibéricas.

Un objetivo importante de LIFE INVASAQUA es desarrollar herramientas que mejoren la gestión y sean más eficientes en el marco de Alerta Temprana y Respuesta Rápida (EWRR) para las Especies Exóticas Invasoras (EEI) en la Península Ibérica. La exploración del horizonte para las EEI de alto riesgo es básica para aplicar medidas que reduzcan las nuevas invasiones y para centrar los esfuerzos en las especies ya registradas. Desarrollamos un ejercicio transnacional de exploración del horizonte centrado en las aguas interiores de España y Portugal con el fin de proporcionar una lista negra de las EEI acuáticas actualmente establecidas y una lista de alerta de las EEI acuáticas potenciales que pueden suponer una amenaza para los ecosistemas acuáticos y los sectores socioeconómicos en el futuro. Para la exploración del horizonte seguimos un enfoque estructurado de 5 pasos que combinaba las pruebas existentes sobre las EEI con una puntuación de expertos de los taxones priorizados. En la lista negra final se priorizaron 126 EEI, que representan el 41,2% de los taxones exóticos registrados en las aguas continentales ibéricas. Las 24 primeras especies tenían un riesgo de impacto muy alto porque obtuvieron los valores máximos en el proceso de puntuación de la evaluación de riesgos. Además, la lista de alerta incluía 89 EEI con un riesgo significativo de invasión en la Península Ibérica en el futuro, estando 11 taxones en cabeza con un riesgo muy alto de invasión

Breve história das introduções biológicas em Portugal Continental. In: As invasões biológicas em Portugal: história, diversidade e gestão.

Desde o início da civilização existiram movimentações de plantas e animais, por ação humana. Neste capítulo, são analisados cronologicamente os primeiros registos das introduções de espécies não indígenas em Portugal continental e suas regiões de origem. Ao longo do tempo, o número de espécies não indígenas de plantas foi sempre superior ao número de animais. O aumento no número de registos de plantas introduzidas foi sempre anterior ao número de animais, sendo que a maior parte provém da América do Norte e da Europa

BLACK LIST AND ALERT LIST OF THE AQUATIC INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES OF THE IBERIAN PENINSULA – Horizon scanning exercise focused on the high-risk aquatic invasive alien species for the Iberian inland waters.

An important goal of LIFE INVASAQUA is to develop tools that will improve management and increase the efficiency of the Early Warning and Rapid Response (EWRR) framework for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Iberian Peninsula. Horizon scanning for high risk IAS is basic when implementing measures to reduce new invasions and to focus efforts on the species already recorded. We developed a transnational horizon scanning exercise focused on inland waters of Spain and Portugal in order to provide a black list of current established aquatic IAS and an alert list of potential aquatic IAS that may pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems and socio-economic sectors in the future. We followed a structured 5-steps approach for horizon scanning that combined existing evidence about IAS with an expert scoring of prioritized taxa. A total of 126 IAS were prioritised in the final black list, representing the 41.2% of alien taxa recorded in Iberian inland waters. The top 24 species had a very high risk of impact because they obtained the maximum values in the risk-assessment scoring process. Moreover, the alert list included 89 IAS with a relevant risk of invasion in the Iberian Peninsula in the future, resulting in 11 taxa on the top with a very high risk of invasion

LIST OF POTENTIAL AQUATIC ALIEN SPECIES OF THE IBERIAN PENINSULA (2020). Updated list of the potential aquatic alien species with high risk of invasion in Iberian inland waters.

An updated list is presented of the alien species in the transport or introduction invasion stage in inland waters of the Iberian Peninsula. The list is based on a systematic assessment of information in collaboration with a wide expert team from Spain and Portugal. This list is an important tool to support the implementation of the IAS Regulation, particularly in prevention measures and in the development of an Early Warning and Rapid Response (EWRR) system. Ultimately, the information included can help to the achievement of the target of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 for combatting IAS, but also for the implementation of other EU policies with requirements on alien species, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, the Marine Strategy and Water Framework Directives

LISTA NEGRA E LISTA DE ALERTA DAS ESPÉCIES EXÓTICAS INVASORAS AQUÁTICAS DA PENÍNSULA IBÉRICA 2022. Exercício transnacional de análise do horizonte focado nas espécies exóticas invasoras aquáticas de alto risco para as águas interiores ibéricas.

Um objetivo importante do LIFE INVASAQUA é desenvolver ferramentas que irão melhorar a gestão e aumentar a eficiência do quadro de Alerta Precoce e Resposta Rápida (EWRR) para Espécies Exóticas Invasoras (EEI) na Península Ibérica. A análise de horizonte quanto a EEI de alto risco é simples na implementação de medidas para reduzir novas invasões e concentrar os esforços nas espécies já registadas. Desenvolvemos um exercício transnacional de análise de horizonte centrado nas águas interiores de Espanha e Portugal, a fim de fornecer uma lista negra das EEI aquáticas atualmente estabelecidas e uma lista de alerta de potenciais EEI aquáticas que possam constituir uma ameaça futura para os ecossistemas aquáticos e para os setores socioeconómicos. Seguimos uma abordagem estruturada de 5 passos para o análise de horizonte que combinou as provas existentes sobre as EEI com uma pontuação de peritos de taxas priorizadas. Um total de 126 EEI foram consideradas prioritárias na lista negra final, representando 41,2% dos táxones exóticas registadas em águas interiores ibéricas. As 24 principais espécies tiveram um risco de impacto muito elevado porque obtiveram os valores máximos no processo de pontuação da avaliação de risco. Além disso, a lista de alerta incluía 89 EEI com um risco relevante de invasão na Península Ibérica no futuro, resultando em 11 táxones no topo com um risco muito elevado de invasão

LIST OF AQUATIC ALIEN SPECIES OF THE IBERIAN PENINSULA (2020). Updated list of aquatic alien species introduced and established in iberian inland waters

An updated list is presented of the alien species in the establishment or spread invasion stage in inland waters at the Iberian Peninsula. The list is based on a systematic assessment of information in collaboration with a wide expert team from Spain and Portugal. This updated list is an important tool supporting the implementation of the IAS Regulation and provides a factual basis for the review of its application. Ultimately, the information included can be used for monitoring the achievement of the target of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 for combatting IAS, but also for the implementation of other EU policies with requirements on alien species, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, and the Marine Strategy and Water Framework Directives

LISTA DE ESPECIES EXÓTICAS ACUÁTICAS POTENCIALMENTE INVASORAS EN LA PENINSULA IBÉRICA (2020). Lista actualizada de especies exóticas potencialmente invasoras con alto riesgo de invasión de las aguas continentales ibéricas.

Se presenta una lista actualizada de las especies exóticas invasoras que se encuentran en la etapa de transporte o de introducción en aguas continentales de la Península Ibérica. La lista se basa en una evaluación sistemática de la información en colaboración con un amplio equipo de expertos de España y Portugal. Esta lista es un instrumento importante para la aplicación del Reglamento de la Unión Europea (UE) sobre las especies exóticas invasoras (EEI), en particular en lo que respecta a las medidas de prevención y al desarrollo de un sistema de alerta temprana y respuesta rápida (EWRR). En última instancia, la información incluida puede utilizarse para supervisar el cumplimiento del objetivo de la Estrategia de la UE sobre diversidad biológica hasta 2030 para combatir las EEI, pero también para la aplicación de otras políticas de la UE con requisitos sobre especies exóticas, como las Directivas de Hábitats y Aves, la Directiva Marco sobre la Estrategia Marina (DMEM) y la Directiva Marco del Agua (DMA)

LISTA DE ESPECIES EXÓTICAS ACUÁTICAS DE LA PENINSULA IBÉRICA (2020). Lista actualizada de las especies exóticas acuáticas introducidas y establecidas en las aguas continentales ibéricas.

Se presenta una lista actualizada de las especies exóticas que se encuentran en etapa de establecimiento o de propagación de la invasión en aguas continentales de la península ibérica. La lista está basada en la evaluación sistemática de los datos en colaboración con un amplio equipo de expertos de España y Portugal. Esta lista de actualización es un instrumento de apoyo importante para la aplicación del Reglamento de la Unión Europea (UE) sobre las especies exóticas invasoras (EEI) y también proporciona una base objetiva para el examen de su aplicación. En última instancia, la información incluida puede utilizarse para supervisar el cumplimiento del objetivo de la Estrategia de la UE sobre diversidad biológica hasta 2030 para combatir las EEI, pero también para la aplicación de otras políticas de la UE con requisitos sobre especies exóticas, como las Directivas de Hábitats y Aves, la Directiva Marco sobre la Estrategia Marina (DMEM) y la Directiva Marco del Agua (DMA)