Technical, legal, and public responses to biological plant invasions in European temperate forests

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Forest Research and Cooperation for Sustainable Development: XXV IUFRO World Congress, 29 sept - 5 October 2019, Curitiba, PR, Brazil: Abstracts ; Jrg. 39 ; Special Issue (2019) , 608

The European temperate broad leaf and mixed forests (TF) cover large areas in 21 European countries. Unwanted naturalization of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) can entail risks to the biodiversity and ecosystem functions of TF. The aim of this study is to determine the current spread of IAS in TF and their impact on forest management, review existing technical measures, and discuss the prevailing legal and policy frameworks. The review of technical reports and publications shows that the plant species Solidago gigantea, Robinia pseudoacacia, Impatiens glandulifera, Fallopia sp., and Amorpha fruticosa are among the most-studied IAS in TF. Among the most-studied impacts are regeneration and changes to site conditions. The construction and use of forest roads as well as harvesting disturbances are considered to be the main pathways for the introduction of IAS into TF. Management measures include general considerations on preventing unintentional introduction and spread, early detection action plans followed by rapid eradication measures, mechanical removal, and the use of plant protection products (herbicides). Prevention measures are considered the most cost-efficient and effective measures. The effectiveness of control measures can be increased by way of integrated control strategies within a long-term management plan. Analysis of legal and policy frameworks shows overlapping responses in international conventions and agreements to address the risks. At the national level, policies and legal responses form a highly complex network of country-specific definitions and strategies. EU Regulation 1143/2014 stipulates an EU-wide ban of IAS of Union concern, including 8 plant species posing relevant risks for TF.