ME408
Group work
Laura Harjunpää, Suvi Lindström,
Minna Lyytikäinen & Laura Nummelin
Threats in Europe
After disappearance of surroundings alien species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity in the
world (www.sll.fi). Europe is one of the main commercial centre on the world and there are plenty of traffic
between Europe and other continents. Among others these things pose a threat that European ecosystems
subjected to influence of alien species.
So far there are over 11,000 documented alien species in Europe. 15 % of these cause economic damages
and another 15 % cause harm to environment, habitats and native species (DAISIE). Most of these alien
species are terrestial plants and terrestial invertebrates. Invasive alien species can be negative impact on
native species because they are better competitor than native species and have a capacity for fast
dispersal. Usually those species are also difficult to detect.
The graph shows the number of species, for each environmental group, which have been classified
as alien in (some part of) Europe. Source: http://www.europe-aliens.org/index.do
The European Commission has awaken before this problem over last decade and during last years it has
contributed to financing almost 300 projects which relate this theme (Scalera, 2010). Because there are
several species which are harmful specifically for crops (e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers and melons) whom are
export products many of these projects have directed towards rejection of economic costs. It is
understandable because agriculture and/or forestry constitute important bit of national economy in several
EU countries. Nowdays we have numerous quarter which controlling of invasive species. European and
Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) and Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for
Europe (DAISIE) both has established a list of "the worst alien species in Europe" and they also participate
in global discussions of topics about alien species. In Finland Finnish Food Safety Authority (EVIRA), Finnish
Environment Institute (SYKE) and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry take a controlling. The biggest
problem of controlling is that every countries have own regulations of export and import. That`s why it`s
important that in future more countries could find a common strategy against invasive species.
On next pages we introduce some aliens species which we thought might constitute a remarkable threat
for European nature. All of these species occur on DAISIE`s list "100 of the worst invasive aliens in
Europe".
Invasive plants
Europeans have a long history in travelling. From their trips they have brought many new species into
Europe. Mainly from Asia and America. Most plants are brought for ornamental or agricultural use. Some of
these species have escaped from gardens and fields and have became invasive. Europe's nature is far more
stable than for example nature of an island and that's why alien species are not so harmful in here than on
islands.
Plants move easily from one place to another, They don't have to stay alive trough the trip, but they can
travel as a tolerant seed. Seeds diperse easily with humans or animals, intentionally or in purpose. Some of
plants can also increase asexually meaning that already one plant is able to colonize new areas rapidly.
Most common way plants to come alien species, is to became a crop runaway. In Finland it is forbidden to
diffuse alien plants into nature. Runaways cause harm expecially to conservation areas. Alien plants gain
ground easily while reproduction. Some plants may cause some allergies to humans.
One bad invasive plantgroup is hogweeds (Heracleum sp.), one of them is giant hogweed (Heracleum
mantegazzianum). It´s a monocarpic perennial from south-west Asia and brought to Europe for ornamental
use. It has spread to middle and northern Europe. Thick stands reduce biodiversity. Prevention
mechanically or chemically. When extinguishing mechanically should beware phytotoxic sap, which is
dangerous to humans.
Another invasive species is Black cherry (Prunus serotina) from Eastern North America. It´s an agressive
colonizer and spreads to open grounds or under pine- or oakforests forming dense thickets. It competites
with natural species while regeneration and after become dominant species changes humus quality.
Prevention should be done mechanically or chemically. In mechanic prevention should be careful, because
plant makes easily sprouts. Because of this is an aggressive colonizer, planting near forests should avoid.
Invertebrates
Anoplophora glabripennis, Asian longhorned beetle (1)
It is native in Far-East and abundant in China and Korea. It comes from China by the importation of large
amounts of untreated or inappropriately treated wood packing material to Europe (EPPO). Its larvae live in
cambium first. Older stages bore tunnel to the heartwood. These cause economic damage. Adult eat bark
from small branches. In Europe it was found on Acer spp., Platanus sp., some Fagus spp. Betula sp.,
Aesculus hippocastanum, Populus sp., Salix sp., Prunus sp., and Carpinus betulus. It can live in many species
which are common in urban areas especially on streets and gardens (DAISIE). In its native range it can
damage also poplar plantations. A. glabripennis may have indirect or direct impact to native xylophagous
insects also those who are protected. When Anoplophora glabripennis is found in urban area, the trees
have to eradicate. Destruct of infested trees by chipping or burning.
(1)
(2)
(3)
Also Cameraria ohridella, Horse chestnut leaf-miner (2) cause aesthetical harm. It mine horse chestnut
(Aesculus hippocastanum). Economic damages caused by supplementary planting.
Aedes albopictus, Asian tiger mosquito (3)
Native in Southest Asia, islands of the Western Pasific Osean and Indian Ocean. It can passive transport by
aircrafts, boats and vehicles as eggs. Risk areas have mean temperature in winter higher than 0ºC, summer
temperature higher than 20 ºC and at least 500mm precipitation. The expansion in southern Europe caused
by short distance transport from other European countries and long distance transport from USA, Asia and
Africa. It has health and social impact. It is potential vector for at least 22 viruses example dengue and West
Nile virus. Economic impact caused from health care and treatment cost. A. Albopictus can be some way
prevent by monitoring. Traps are also used. All sources of standing rainwater should be removed or
emptied every three days. Water which can’t be removed should be treated with vegetable oil.
Terrestrial vertebrates
DAISIE`s list include fifteen terrestrial vertebrate species . Those species are Canada Goose, Japanese Deer,
American Bullfrog, American Mink, Coypu, Raccoon Dog, Muskrat, Ruddy Duck, Raccoon, Rose-ringed
Parakeet, Norway Rat, Grey Squirrel, Siberian Chipmunk, Sacred Ibis and Common Slider. Canada Goose
and Japanese Deer are both quite high in the list so they are quite bad species in terms of their impact on
different aspects of society and nature.
Following information about Canada Goose and Japanese Deer have been modified from facts taken from
DAISIE “100 of the worst” –list’s Species fact sheets of Canada Goose and Japanese Deer. Www addresses
can be found from the end of this report paper.
Canada Goose originates from North America. Nowadays it is established in several places in northern
Europe and across north-central Europe from Belgium all the way to eastern Russia. It is also introduced
but not yet established in many European countries such as Italy and Switzerland. This bird is expected to
become established as a nesting and breeding bird species in lower central Europe.
Canada Goose has a big impact on ecosystems in Europe. It has a great potential to hybridize with several
bird species. There is a special concern for the hybridization ability of Canada Goose with other goose
species such as Greylag Goose. It also competes with Graylag Goose and is very aggressive and serious
threat to some small waterfowl by displacing their territory and killing younger and older individuals.
Canada goose also has some impact on human health and for example on air safety because their
droppings may contaminate water and soil and there have actually been noted some collisions with
aircraft. Despite of all disadvantages Canada Goose brings with its occurrence in Europe there have been no
organized international effort to control populations.
Japanese Deer originates from Asia. In addition to spreading in to Europe it is introduced for example in
Africa, New Zealand, Australia and North America. So to say it is a very widely spread species. In Europe it
exists in Britain, Ireland, Denmark France, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic and Russia. Feral
populations originate from either releases into the wild or escapees from parks and farms.
Japanese Deer is a serious forest pest because it causes significant damage to tree plantations. It hybridizes
with the native red deer producing fertile offspring. Due to that it is a serious threat to the genetic integrity
of the native species. Japanese Deer can be kept away from croplands by building fences. Young trees can
be protected quite effectively with some kind of individual tree protectors. Mechanical control is usually
done by shooting. Chemical repellents have turned out to be ineffective. Methods for controlling fertility by
using chemicals are being explored, but not yet available.
Sources:
Scalera, R. 2010. How much is Europe spending on invasive alien species? Biological Invasions. 2010. 12: 1,
173-177.
http://www.europe-aliens.org/index.do
www.sll.fi