engleski

Control and eradication of invasive alien plant species in Croatia – measures taken and planned

Invasive alien species have become more widespread in the territory of Croatia and consequently become important issue in Croatian Nature Protection Act since 2013. By then organized eradication measures were taken on alien plant species which have caused negative impact on human health. Order on measures for compulsory removal of ragweed – Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. from agricultural land (cultivated and uncultivated), forests, public traffic routes and public green areas is in force since 2007. As IAS represent one of the primary threats to biodiversity of Croatia, Croatian Agency for the Environment and Nature (CAEN) has started to implement control and eradication programs on IAS. Control measures on the species Heracleum mantegazzianum in Gornja Šemnica (Radoboj, Krapina-Zagorje County) has already successfully been taken during 2014 and 2015 in collaboration with Public Institution for Management of Protected Natural Values of Krapina-Zagorje County. Moreover, there is “Program for maintenance works for protection against harmful effects of water in Croatia nature” from 2011 with guidance on protection measures to control and eradicate IAS plant species (specifically Amorpha fruticosa and Ambrosia artemisiifolia) in streams and canals and adjoining areas. Further eradication programs are primary focused on invasive alien plant species in protected areas and islands (preferably Natura 2000 sites). In the pilot project in preparation, species Ailanthus altissima and Solanum elangifolium are planned to be removed from the selected localities using best practices. Beside its adverse ecological impact, IAS also cause negative socioeconomic effects. To manage and control spread of invasive alien plant species on agricultural land, eradication measures for alien plant species have been integrated in Croatian Rural Development Programme for the period 2014-2020 (Measure 4). Species Ailanthus altissima, Amorpha fruticosa, Reynoutria japonica, Reynoutria sachalinensis and Robinia pseudacacia will be proposed for eradication in the Ordinance for this measure.

invasive alien species; control methods; eradication; nature protection

nije evidentirano