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Mapping and monitoring of alien species in Croatia

There are about 14, 000 alien species currently known in Europe out of which 10–15% is estimated to be invasive. Invasive alien species (IAS) are recognized as a threat to biodiversity at the global, European and national level, and goals and legal obligations of Croatia regarding management and mitigation of IAS adverse impacts are defined in EU and national legislation, as well as in international conventions and treaties. In order to meet those goals and legal obligations, we need the knowledge of the current distribution of alien species in Croatia, their pathways of introduction and spread, and their impact on biodiversity and related ecosystem functions, human health and economy. Therefore, the purpose of the ongoing project “Establishment of the National Monitoring System for Invasive Alien Species” is to increase the knowledge about IAS in Croatia through literature review, data analysis, field survey at the national level, and the establishment of monitoring and citizen science programs. All of the collected data, including species’ distribution maps, will be publicly available through the IAS information system, planned as a part of the Croatian Nature Protection Information System. Also, one of the aims of the project is to raise the public awareness on IAS in order to prevent their further spread and introduction of new alien species. In this presentation, we will present the project activities in detail.

invasive species, IAS, pathways, information system, citizen science

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