Significant Water Management Issues - International Sava River

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Sava River Basin Management Plan

Background paper No. 7

Invasive alien species

March 2013


Background paper No.7: Invasive alien species

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1

2 Identification of main invasion gateways, routes and corridors in Europe ................................................................................................................................... 2

3 Sources of information regarding the Sava River Basin .................................. 4

4 References ............................................................................................................................ 7

List of Figures

Figure 1: Main European invasive corridors (Panov et al., 2009) ............................................ 3

Figure 2: Assessment units within Southern Invasion Corridor ............................................... 4

List of Annexes

Annex 1: List of Terms/Definitions

Annex 2: List of pathways of IAS introductions in Europe with descriptors for assess-ment of pathways, currently operating in the assessment unit (Minchin et al. 2007, modified)

Annex 3: The draft list of IAS within Sava RB (based on the DAISIE list of the worst in-vasive alien species in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea)


Background paper No.7: Invasive alien species 1

1 Introduction During the last century, there is an increasing concern in relation to the mainly human-aided dispersal of species beyond their natural range of distribution. Humans have served as both accidental and deliberate dispersal agents of biota for over 500 years. The consequences of biological invasions are diverse and can alter fundamental ecologi-cal properties such as dominant species in a community, productivity, nutrient cycling and thus can alter the structure and function of the ecosystem (Mack et al. 2000). An-thropogenic distribution of plants and animals is considered within the major threats to the biodiversity (Grigorovich et al. 2003). Aquatic ecosystems are not exception con-cerning this aspect of disturbance. Ballast water of ships, deliberate fish stocking and in-troduction into aquaculture were pointed as prospective agents of dispersal of non-indigenous fish species (Gherardi et al. 2009).

The purpose of this document is to give the basic information on the state of the art of knowledge on alien aquatic species within the Sava River Basin, as well as the develop-ment of the methodology of the risk assessment.

Having in mind gaps in our knowledge about the distribution and abundance of invasive alien species, their influence to native biota, as well as the current gaps in addressing in-vasive alien species in European river basin management, there is an apparent need for basin-wide actions to deal properly with this issue.

Parts of European inland waterways that are highly biologically contaminated are prob-ably irreversibly changed with respect to composition of fauna and flora. Some commu-nities are now dominated by alien species. In some water bodies alien-dominated com-munities have shown very stable composition of dominant species for over a decade. Ac-cording to Arbačiauskas et al. (2008) such newly established communities may be de-fined as xenocommunities, in analogy to xenodiversity (Olenin at al. 2007).

Canals can provide conduits for species to spread between previously separate biogeo-graphic regions either by active movement, drift and/or as a result of ship transport (bij de Vaate et al., 2002; Galil et al., 2007).

Categorization of species as indigenous (i.e., native) or non-indigenous (i.e. alien) is not a routine work. Owing to the huge and long-term historical global movements of the biota, human-aided and natural, as well as due to the lack of relevant data that would either support or disprove classification of particular taxa as native or alien, it is clear that there are many species that cannot be reliably assigned to either category. Alien species are those that take up residence in a biogeographical area, such as a river catchment, where they were previously unknown (Arbačiauskas et al. 2008).

The alien invasive species is defined as an alien that becomes established in natural or semi natural ecosystems or habitat that is an agent of change and threatens native bio-logical diversity. In their native habitat, where they have genetically and ecologically evolved, these organisms may not be a high risk proposition. However, when aquatic and terrestrial species are transported to ecosystems outside their established range, problems can be caused for native organisms, disturbing the balance of natural commu-nities by altering the populations, the community structure, ecosystem structure and function. There are several different terms used for those taxa that are newly occurring in a cer-tain geographical area:



The species that are not demonstrably native or introduced are defined as crypto-genic (Panov et al 2009). This case introduction of an organism(s) is the deliberate or unintentional (accidental) transfer and/or release, by direct or indirect human agency into the wild, or into locations in geographical areas that are not completely isolated from the surrounding environment. The taxa (species, subspecies, race or variety) are not native and the invasion is a collection of events and processes re-lated to appearance and impacts on communities and ecosystems of alien species.

Translocation is the introduction of a species from one part of a political entity (country) in which it is native to another part of the same country in which it is not native.

Native or indigenous refers to taxa that occur naturally in a geographical area, with dispersal occurring independent of human intervention, whether direct or indirect, intentional or unintentional.

Non-native or non-indigenous refers to a taxa that does not occur naturally in a ge-ographical area, i.e. it did not previously occur there or its dispersal into the area was mediated or facilitated directly or indirectly by humans, whether deliberately or unintentionally; invasive organisms are native or alien species that spread, with or without the aid of humans, in natural or semi-natural habitats, producing a sig-nificant change in composition, structure, or ecosystem processes, or cause severe economic losses to human activities.

Acclimatized species (or taxa) are those that are able to complete part or most of their life cycle in the wild in an alien environment or climate, but are unable to re-produce and sustain a population without the support of humans.

Naturalized refers to a non-native taxa that, following introduction, has established self-sustaining populations in the wild and has been present of sufficient duration to have incorporated itself within the resident community of organisms, achieving or overcoming geographical, environmental and reproductive barriers.

Vagrant refers to taxa that, by natural means, moves from one geographical region to another outside its usual range, or away from usual migratory routes, and that do not establish a self-sustaining population in the visited region. Casual refers to introduced species that is unable to sustain without human aid despite its obvious ability to reproduce its population.

2 Identification of main invasion gateways, routes and corridors in Europe

Four principal invasion corridors in Europe have been identified (Panov et al. 2009 - Figure 1):

The Northern corridor: linking the Black and Azov seas with the Caspian Sea via the Azov - Caspian waterway including the Volga-Don Canal, and with the Baltic and White seas via the Volga-Baltic waterway including the Volga-Baltic Canal, and the White Sea - Baltic Sea waterway, including the White Sea - Baltic Sea Ca-nal.



The Central corridor: connecting the Black Sea with the Baltic Sea region via Dnieper and Bug-Pripyat Canal, with Nemunas River branch connected to Pripyat and Bug by Oginsky and Augustov canals, correspondingly.

The Southern corridor: linking the Black Sea basin with the North Sea basin via the Danube-Main-Rhine waterway including the Main-Danube Canal.

The Western corridor: linking the Mediterranean with the North Sea via the River Rhône and the Rhine-Rhône Canal.

Figure 1: Main European invasive corridors (Panov et al., 2009)

These principal corridors are interlinked via two additional invasion corridors: the Southern meridian corridor linking the Northern, Central and Southern corridors on the south, and the Northern meridian corridor, linking the Northern, Central, Southern and Western on the north (Figure 1). This complex system of navigable waterways and inva-sion corridors can be considered as an European inland water invasion network (Figure 1), with estuaries of large European rivers (Don, Danube, Dnieper, Neva, Odra, Rhine) and lagoons (Curonian, Vistula) serving as entries to the main invasion corridors and considered as “invasion gateways”.

The Sava River has been defined as a branch of Southern Invasive Corridor (Panov et al. 2009) – see Assessment unit 9 at Figure 2, which underline that the river is under the high invasive pressure.



Figure 2: Assessment units within Southern Invasion Corridor

3 Sources of information regarding the Sava River Basin

The significant sources of information are the results of DAISIE project (Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe EC FP6 Programme, Contract Number: SSPI-CT-2003-511202). DAISIE provided the platform for further work on alien species, which include aquatic and other species connected with water ecosystems, as well. The list of invasive alien species that is relevant for the Sava River Basin is compiled based on the DAISIE list of “The worst invasive alien species in Danube River Basin and Black Sea re-gion”.

Within the ALARM project1, the database on alien species within Southern Invasion Cor-ridor has been developed on the Institute for Biological Research, Belgrade (AISSIC date base). In order to find the relation between the biological characteristics of the species and recipient area, the database contains fields with ecological and taxonomical infor-mation, as well as separate sheets covering the data about Assessment Units (AU - for the definition of Assessment Unit, see Annex 1). At present, the database contains 2,813 records, with total of 141 alien and cryptogenic taxa covered (41 fish, 67 benthic inver-tebrates, 24 aquatic macrophytes, 1 amphibian and 8 fish parasite species) within Southern Invasion Corridor. A part of the database covers the lower stretch of the Sava River.

Based on the ALARM results (Panov et al 2009), the risk-based assessment of invasive-ness of the alien species, established in the aquatic ecosystem (assessment unit), was used the classification of alien species into the grey, white, and black lists. The black list of alien species includes all species that are invasive for particular Assessment Unit. The white list includes taxa with low bio-pollution risk, while the gray list comprises taxa for which information on the potential risks of rapid species dispersal, establishment, and adverse impacts is not available.

1 European Commission 6th Framework Programme Integrated Project ALARM (contract GOCE-CT-2003-

506675) (Settele et al. 2005)



An open access publishing policy provides a valuable data source for effective analyses of different features. Thus, in the case of alien taxa in aquatic ecosystems, an open access journal “Aquatic Invasions” provides up to date information about IAS and platform for further work on alien species within the Sava River – see for example Žganec et al. (2009). The concept of this the ERNAIS e-journal is presented in Panov & Golash (2006) and it has been successfully published since February 2006.

The data on IAS are available from national projects realized within the region. Thus, the Croatian national project “Invasive macroinvertebrate species in freshwater ecosystems of Croatia” (realized by Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb) provided the data about 11 alien crustaceans and four non-indigenous mollusks in Croa-tian waters. As the result of this project, a digital distribution map is available.

The important data source regarding alien species in Serbia could is BAES database (Bi-odiversity of Aquatic Ecosystems in Serbia – Ex situ protection http://baes.pmf.kg.ac.rs/O_projektu.html). Up to now (according to the data form March 2010), the database includes 1,300 species from fish, molluscs, crayfish, macroinvertebrates, macroalgae, vascular plants and a little of amphibians and reptiles. 134 fish species are included. BAES stores some 20,000 records. The majority of existing data of Serbia of literature are included in the database. BAES was implemented by the Institute of Biology and Ecology Faculty of Science Kragujevac in the project “In situ and ex situ conservation of Biodiversity of Aquatic Ecosystems in Serbia”, financed by the Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection. The first project phase was imple-mented between 2003 and 2005 (Simić et al. 2006).

Neither the adequate regulation nor the clear institutional organization regarding the invasive species is available in the Sava countries. The Law on Environmental Protection in Croatia (NN No. 70/05, 139/08) partially regulates the problem of invasive taxa. Cro-atia prepared strategy that covers issue on invasive species (NN No. 143/08). In Serbia, the specific by-laws regarding the invasive taxa are not available and the Law on Envi-ronmental Protection (Off. Gazette 36-09) regulates the responsibility of governmental institutions in regard to biological invasions. Serbia prepared “The action plan on the control of the introduction, monitoring and suppression of the invasive species” which was accepted by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning in 2007.

Other possible sources of information are listed below – Related internet links.

Based on the data from previous studies, the potential risk of invasive alien species could be roughly assessed, but for accurate risk assessment, new data are needed.

In response to the threats posed by non-indigenous species to the aquatic environment, various systems (codes of practice) have been developed with aim to identify and assess the potential risks of existing and potential future nonnative aquatic species (ICES 1988, FAO 1995 a and b, Stohlgen & Schnase 2006, Copp et al 2005, 2009 a and b, Panov et al. 2009). The procedures proposed could be considered to be used as tool for assessment of influence of invasive alien species within the SRB.

For the further discussion the systems presented in the following publications (Copp et al (2005, 2009 a, b; Panov et al. (2009) are suggested.

Copp et al (2005, 2009 a, b) discussed the methods for classification of non-indigenous species as potentially invasive or non-invasive. First, the system has been developed for fish (the Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit FISK, Copp et al. 2005). The FISK is an adaptation of the procedure proposed for weed (the Weed Risk Assessment WRA, Pheloung et al.

http://baes.pmf.kg.ac.rs/O_projektu.html



1999). Later, the Freshwater Invertebrate Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FI-ISK) (Copp et all 2009 b) has been proposed as a tool for identifying potentially invasive invertebrates for freshwater ecosystems. FI-ISK was developed to be able to classify the non-indigenous taxa into low-, medium-, and high-risk categories, by using confidence ranking (certain-ty/uncertainty) by the assessor to each response in order to determine appropriate score thresholds between the categories.

The FISK and FI-ISK represent useful and viable tools for decision-makers for assess-ment and classification of freshwater invertebrates according to their potential inva-siveness.

Further, based on the data on European Invasive Corridors which included the data from AISSIC data base, the development and testing of a Risk Assessment Tool has been per-formed (Panov et al. 2009).

The negative impacts identified by the assessment include (Panov et al. 2009):

- Impacts on Europe’s native species, habitats and ecosystem functions, which in-clude terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, with IAS documented as a threat to many species and habitats threatened at global or European level;

- Impacts on the biodiversity of Europe’s islands, including the EU Overseas Enti-ties, which often underpins local livelihoods and economies;

- Impacts on almost all ecosystem services that underpin human wellbeing, biolog-ical production systems and recreational/tourism amenity (e.g. food and water provisioning, regulation of water, fire and flood regimes, erosion control);

- Socio-economic effects on affected individuals and communities through harm to human health (e.g. disease vectors, parasites, allergies, asthma) and/or to local livelihoods;

- Economic impacts on biological production and other sectors at European level.

Out of mentioned impacts, the most relevant for the SRB should be defined.

Activities aiming the rising of public awareness in regard to bioinvasion of aquatic eco-systems should be one of the priorities, since some of the invasive taxa reached recipient areas by the deliberate releasing (e.g. Lepomis gibbosus, the pumpkinseed sunfish and Trachemys scripta elegans, red-eared slider).

Further actions on the subject of the alien invasive species within SRB have to be in line with related documents and activities on EU level (Genovesi and Shine 2003, Kettunen et al. 2008, Shine et al. 2009, Boon 2009/2010, for other related documents, please see http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/index_en.htm).

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/index_en.htm



4 References AISSIC Database (Allochthonous Invasive Species of the Southern Invasion Corridor Database) – the data-

base created within the activities of the project ALARM - European Commission 6th Framework Pro-gram - Integrated Project, contract GOCE-CT-2003-506675.

Arbacˇiauskas K, Semenchenko VP, Grabowski M, Leuven RSEW, Paunovic´ M, Son MO, Csa´nyi B, Gumuliauskaite˙ S, Konopacka A, Nehring S, van der Velde G, Vezhnovetz V, Panov VE. (2008). As-sessment of biocontamination of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in European inland water-ways. Aquatic Invasions 3:211–230.

Bij de Vaate A, Jazdzewski K, Ketelaars HAM, Gollasch S, Van der Velde G. (2002). Geographical patterns in range extension of Ponto-Caspian macroinvertebrate species in Europe. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 59:1159–1174.

Boon, P. (2009/2010). A discussion paper on proposal of CEN standard on Alien Species with particular reference to the Water Framework Directive - CEN/TC 230/WG 2/TG 5: N72.

Cakić, P., Lenhardt, M., Kolarević, J., Mičković, B., Hegediš, A. (2004). Distribution of Asiatic cyprinid Pseudorasbora parva in Serbia and Montenegro, Journal of Fish Biology, 65, 1431-1434.

Cakić, P., Lenhardt, M., Mićković, D., Sekulić, N. & Budakov, LJ. (2002). Biometric analysis of Syngnathus abaster populations, Journal of Fish Biology 60, 2002, 1588-1595.

Cakić, P., Petrović, Z., Paunović, M. (1996). Unsere Brutbefunde von Hipophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes, 1884) im Hauptgerinne der Donau bei Beograd (Jugoslavien). 31. Konfrenz der IAD, SIL, Baja, Ungarn, Limnologische Berichte Donau 1996, Bd. 1, 315-318.

Copp GH, Garthwaite R, Gozlan RE. (2005). Risk identification and assessment of non-native freshwater fishes: A summary of concepts and perspectives on protocols for the UK. Journal of Applied Ichthyolo-gy, 2005; 21:371–373.

Copp GH, Vilizzi L, Mumford J, Fenwick GV, Godard MJ, Gozlan RE. (2009). Calibration of FISK, an invasive-ness screening tool for non-native freshwater fishes. Risk Analysis, 29:457–467.

Csányi, B., Paunovic, M. (2006). The Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Community of the River Danube between Klostenburg (1942 rkm) and Calafat – Vidin (795 rkm). Acta Biol. Debr. Oecol. Hung 14, 91-106.

Elliott M. (2003). Biological pollutants and biological pollution––an increasing cause for concern. Marine Pollution Bulletin 46, 275–280.

FAO. Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Rome, Italy: FAO, 1995b.

FAO. Precautionary Approach to Fisheries. Part 1: Guidelines on the Precautionary Approach to Capture Fisheries and Species Introductions. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper No. 350, Part 1. Rome, Italy: FAO, 1995.

Galil BS, Nehring S, Panov VE. (2007). Waterways as invasion highways—Impact of climate change and globalization. In: Nentwig W, editor. Biological invasions. Ecological Studies 193. Berlin (DE): Spring-er. p 59–74.

Genovesi, P., and Shine, C. (2003). European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species. Council of Europe.

Gherardi F, Gollasch S, Minchin D, Olenin S, Panov V (2009) Alien Invertebrates and Fish in European In-land Waters. In: Drake JA (ed) DAISIE. Handbook of Alien Species in Europe. Springer, pp.81-92.

Grigorovich IA, Colautti RI, Mills EL, Holeck K, Ballert AG, MacIsaac HJ (2003) Ballast-mediated animal in-troduction in the Laurentian Great Lakes: retrospective and prospective analyses. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 60(6):740-756.

ICES. Codes of Practice and Manual of Procedures for Consideration of Introductions and Transfers of Ma-rine and Freshwater Organisms. ICES Cooperative Research Report No. 159. (1988) Copenhagen, Denmark: ICES. Available at: www.ices.dk/

Kettunen, M., Genovesi, P., Gollasch, S., Pagad, S., Starfinger, U. ten Brink, P. & Shine, C. (2008). Technical support to EU strategy on invasive species (IAS) - Assessment of the impacts of IAS in Europe and the

http://www.ices.dk/



EU (final module report for the European Commission). Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Brussels, Belgium. 44 pp. + Annexes.

Liška, I., Wagner, F. and Slobodnik, J (Eds.) (2008). Joint Danube Survey 2 - Final Scientific Report (). ICPDR - International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, Vienna.

Mack RN, Simberloff CD, Lonsdale MW, Evans H, Clout M, Bazzaz F (2000) Biotic Invasions: Causes, Epi-demiology, Global Consequences and Control. Issuses in Ecology 5:1-20.

Minchin D, Olenin S, Daunys D. and Panov V. (2007). Pathways of aquatic alien species in Europe: modes, trends and future spread. Deliverable 1.3.1 to ALARM project. 17 pp. Panov V. & Gollasch S. 2006. Aquatic Invasions – the new European journal of applied research on biological invasions in aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic Invasions 1: 1-3.

Olenin S, Minchin D, Daunys D (2007). Assessment of biopollution in aquatic ecosystems. Marine Pollution Bulletin 55: 379–394.

Panov, V.E., Boris G. Alexandrov, B.G., Arbaciauskas, K., Binimelis, R., Copp, G.H., Grabowski, M., Lucy, F., Leuven, R.S.E.W., Nehring, S., Paunović, M., Semenchenko, V. and Son, M.O. (2009). Assessing the Risks of Aquatic Species Invasions via European Inland Waterways: from Concepts to Environmental Indica-tors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management DOI: 10.1897/IEAM_2008-034.1.

Paunović, M., Cakić, P., Hegediš, A., Kolarević, J., Lenhardt, M. (2004). A report of Eriocheris sinensis (H. Milne Edwards, 1854) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Grapsidae) from the Serbian part of the Danube River. Hydrobiologia, 529, 1 275-277.

Paunović, M., Csányi, B., Knežević, S., Simić, V., Nenadić, D., Jakovčev-Todorović, D., Stojanović, B., Cakić, P. (2007). Distribution of Asian clams Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) and C. fluminalis (Müller, 1774) in Serbia. Aquatic Invasions (2007) Volume 2, Issue 2: 105-112. URL: http://www.aquaticinvasions.ru

Paunovic, M., Csányi, B., Simic, V., Stojanovic, B., Cakic, P. (2006). Distribution of Anodonta (Sinanodonta) woodiana (Rea, 1834) in inland waters of Serbia. Aquatic Invasions (2006) Volume 1, Issue 3: 154-160 URL: http://www.aquaticinvasions.ru

Paunovic, M., Miljanovic, B., Simic, V., Cakic, P., Djikanovic, V., Jakovcev-Todorovic, D., Stojanovic, B., Veljkovic, A. (2005). Distribution of non-indigenous tubificid worm Branchiura sowerbyi (Beddard, 1892) in Serbia. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment 3. 91-97.

Pavlović, S.Z., Milošević, S.M., Borković, S.B., Simić, V.M., Paunović, M.M., Žikić, R.V., Saičić, Z.S. (2006). A re-port of Orconectes (Faxonius) limosus (Rafinesque, 1817) [Crustacea: Decapoda: Astacidea: Cambaridae: Orconectes: Subgenus Faxonius] in the Serbian part of the River Danube Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment 1. 53-56.

Pheloung PC, Williams PA, Halloy SR. (1999). A weed risk assessment model for use as a biosecurity tool evaluating plant introductions. Journal of Environmental Management, 57:239–251.

Settele J, Hammen V, Hulme PE, Karlson U, Klotz S, Kotarac M, Kunin WE, Marion G, O’Connor M, Petanidou T, Peterseon K, Potts S, Pritchard H, Pysˇek P, Rounsevell M, Spangenberg J, Steffan-Dewenter I, Sykes MT, Vighi M, Zobel M, Ku¨hn I. 2005. ALARM: Assessing large scale environmental risks for biodiversi-ty with tested methods. GAIA—Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society 14:69–72.

Shine, C., Kettunen, M., ten Brink, P., Genovesi, P. & Gollasch, S. 2009. Technical support to EU strategy on invasive species (IAS) – Recommendations on policy options to control the negative impacts of IAS on biodiversity in Europe and the EU. Final report for the European Commission. Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Brussels, Belgium. 32 pp.

Simić, V., Snežana Simić, Ana Petrović, Paunović, M., Šorić, V., Dimitrijević, V. (2006): Biodiverzitet Akvatičnih Ekosistema Srbije, ex situ zaštita (BAES ex situ).

Simonovic, P., Paunovic, M., Popovic, S. (2001). Morphology, Feeding, and Reproduction of the Round Go-by, Neogobius melanostomus, (Pallas) in the Danube River Basin, Yugoslavia. J. Great Lakes Res. 27 (3), 281-289.

Simonović, P., Valković, B., M. Paunović (1998). Round Goby, Neogobius melanostomus, a new Ponto-Caspian element for Yugoslavia. Folia Zool. - 47 (4), 305-312.

Stohlgren TJ, Schnase JL. (2006) Risk analysis for biological hazards: What we need to know about inva-sive species. Risk Analysis, 26:163–173.

http://www.aquaticinvasions.ru/

http://www.aquaticinvasions.ru/

http://147.72.68.29/crayfish/astacidea/Astacidea.htm

http://147.72.68.29/crayfish/astacidea/Cambaridae/Cambaridae.htm

http://147.72.68.29/crayfish/astacidea/Cambaridae/Orconectes/Orconectes.htm

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Žganec, K., Gottstein S. and Hudina, S. (2009). Ponto-Caspian amphipods in Croatian large rivers Aquatic Invasions (2009) Volume 4, Issue 2 DOI 10.3391/ai.2009.4.2.

Related internet links:

Journal « Aquatic Invasions » - http://aquaticinvasions.ru/

EU documents on IAS - http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/index_en.htm

DAISIE - http://www.europe-aliens.org

ALARM project homepage - http://www.alarmproject.net/

Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) http://www.issg.org/index.html

Fauna Europea - http://www.faunaeur.org/

BAES Database - http://baes.pmf.kg.ac.rs

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/index_en.htm

http://www.europe-aliens.org/

http://www.alarmproject.net/

http://www.faunaeur.org/

http://baes.pmf.kg.ac.rs/



Annex 1: List of Terms/Definitions

Term Definition Reference "Alien species" Refers to a taxa (species, subspecies or

lower taxon), introduced outside its nat-ural past or present distribution; includes any part, gametes, seeds, eggs, or propagules of such species that might survive and subsequently reproduce

CBD COP6 Decision VI/23

“Assessment Unit” Part of aquatic ecosystem, serving as as-sessment and management unit (unit analogous to Water Body in WFD)

Panov et al. (2009)

"Invasive alien species" Means an alien species whose introduc-tion and/or spread threaten biological diversity


"Introduction" Refers to the movement by human agen-cy, indirect or direct, of an alien species outside of its natural range (past or pre-sent). This movement can be either with-in a country or between countries or are-as beyond national jurisdiction


"Intentional introduc-tion"

Refers to the deliberate movement and/or release by humans of an alien species outside its natural range


"Unintentional intro-duction"

Refers to all other introductions which are not intentional


"Establishment" Refers to the process of an alien species in a new habitat successfully producing viable offspring with the likelihood of continued survival


"Risk analysis" refers to: (1) the identification of risks and their assessment with regard (in non-native species terms) to the likeli-hood and consequences of the introduc-tion, establishment, spread and impact of an alien species using science-based in-formation (i.e. risk assessment), and (2) to the identification of measures that can be implemented to reduce or manage these risks (i.e., risk management), taking into account socio-economic and cultural considerations.


“Biological invasion” or “bioinvasion”

A broad term that refers to both human-assisted introductions and natural range expansions

“Biological contamina-tion”

The introduction of alien species which may or may not result in noticeable or measurable effects

Elliot 2003 (modified)

“Biological pollution” The introduction of alien species with no-ticeable effects on individuals, popula-tions and communities of native species, and/or resulting in adverse socio-economic consequences

Elliot 2003 (modified)

“Invasibility” A probability of establishment of alien Panov et al 2009.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biological_invasion&action=edit

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bioinvasion&action=edit



Term Definition Reference species as a complex function of abiotic

and biotic resistance of the ecosystem to biological invasions under specific level of propagule pressure

“Invasiveness” Degree to which an organism is able to spread from site of primary introduction, to establish viable population in the eco-system, to negatively affect biodiversity on the individual, community or ecosys-tem level, and cause adverse socio-economic consequences

Panov et al 2009.

“Pathways” Principal human activities involved in the spread of alien species

Minchin et al 2007

“Invasion route” The route between the source region of alien species and its location of introduc-tion

Panov et al 2009.

“Invasion gateway” Refers to a transitional type of ecosystem (brackish-to-freshwater estuary, coastal lagoon or lake), that due to its salinity re-gime and high level of human activity (ship transportation) may serve as an “acclimatization chamber” for potentially euryhaline species enabling them further to colonise inland waters

Panov et al 2009.

“Vector” Specific human transport or natural car-rier that transmits alien taxa to the recip-ient ecosystem

Panov et al 2009.



Annex 2: List of pathways of IAS introductions in Europe with descriptors for as-sessment of pathways, currently operating in the assessment unit (Minchin et al. 2007, modified)

Pathway Vector Descriptor of operating pathway

1. Ships, moveable struc-tures (barges, dredgers, floating docks, navigation buoys) fishing, leisure vessels, float-planes and small sports craft (jet skis, canoes, pad-dle craft)

Water and sediments carried within ballast tanks

Regular passage of ships or port within the assessment unit Rock and sedimentary ballast

The hull including projections, in-takes and cavities of the hull (sea chests, thruster ports and fans, ab-straction piping and small crevices) Boring organisms of the hull and other submerged structures Bilges and bilge pumping equipment Wells, tanks and with other cargo Anchor, anchor chains, lockers, fend-ers, portable moorings and recesses in the deck and holds Trailers for the transportation of craft and all adhering and snagged organisms Dredged materials, coarse gravel ex-tractions to disposed fine sediments

2. Canals (including irriga-tion channels, drainage cuts, and cuts, ponds and marina basins)

Water flow, tidal exchanges, flooding events, storm surges or varying wa-ter levels Transport of floating timber, pon-toons, other equipment Associated with migrating aquatic species Leakage of water from aquaducts

Presence of the canal within assessment unit or within in-land waterway/invasion cor-ridor AU belongs to.

3. Wild fisheries Stock movements Population re-establishment Discharges from processing live, fresh and frozen foods

Live bait releases and discharges of live packaging materials

Movements of retrieved fishing equipment, discarded or lost nets, floats, traps etc.

Discards of target and non-target species (bycatch)

Releases of organisms intended as living fish food supplements

4. Culture activities Intentional releases and movement of stock and associated water

aquaculture is practiced with-in the catchment area Stock enhancement known to take place within assessment unit

Unintended or unauthorised releases (including from secure fur-farms) Movement of equipment (nets, cages, lines, pumping equipment, etc.) Discarded contaminated containers,




live packaging materials and/or as-sociated transport media Broadcasting feeds (live, fresh, fro-zen) Release of genetically modified spe-cies

5. Ornamental and live food trade (including gar-den centres and public aquaria)

Intentional releases (in particular re-leases from aquaria and ponds) Accidental releases (including from ornamental breeding and of incor-rectly identified species)

Tropical species known to be in cultivation and released to thermal effluents where ‘permanent’ populations may form

Movement of organisms associated with stones (‘live rocks’), corals, gravels and sediments

Untreated waste discharges Unauthorised releases of imported

living foods Holding tanks for imported foods adjacent to assessment area

6. Leisure activities Live bait movements and discharges of live packaging materials

marina or marinas within as-sessment unit or leisure craft visit assessment unit high human activity with fes-tivals and sporting events (in-cluding angling involving live bait releases) with provided access via public parks

Accidental, intentional transport and release of angling catch Water sport equipment (diving , fish-ing gear)

Live souvenirs, fairground prizes 7. Research and educa-tion (including pilot pro-jects)

Intentional releases involved in field experiments, including transloca-tions

releases of experimental or-ganisms are known

Accidental release Waste water and biological waste

discharges (including flow-through aquaria systems, discarded demon-stration materials)

Living food releases from cultures or movements

Field and experimental gear move-ment (including diving gear)

Caged organisms used for monitor-ing water quality

8. Biological control Releases to control invasive or oth-erwise abundant organisms

Biological control activities are known

Releases to reduce impacts of dis-eases and parasites

9. Alteration to natural water flow

Movements of abstracted water for municipal supply (from watering channels to piped and pumped sup-plies)

Drainage to different river catch-ments




Irrigation channels Development of reservoirs with

over-spill to different catchments

Removal of natural barriers between catchments

10. Other pathways Habitat management (soil stabilisa-tion/ reclamation using rock barri-ers, sediments and plantings; use of filter feeding invertebrates for man-aging water quality)

Sand and gravel extraction known to take place in as-sessment unit. Organic waste known to be released to as-sessment unit (from food pro-cessing plants)

Municipal and other waste treatment discharges

Discharged live packing material used for non-living products

Releases of transported water (drinking water for humans and/ or livestock and associated equipment)



Annex 3: Draft list of IAS within the Sava RB (Based on the DAISIE list of the worst invasive alien species in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea)

Scientific name Common name Brief description Impact Distribution

Aquatic inland species

1. Aphanomyces astaci Crayfish plague A pseudofungus, aetiologic agent of crafish plague, an acute disease who created problems only in Europe, not in the native range in North America

Native European crayfish were al-most totally destroyed by the very aggressive pathogen

Almost all Europe, except the South-ern part

2. Corbicula fluminea Asian clam Filter feeding bivalve with a globu-lar shell; in Europe there are two subspecies: C. fluminea and C. fluminalis, the latter occurring in river mouths with small variations in salinity. Intolerant to low oxygen level and high nutrient loads.

Competes with other filter feeding bivalves (unionids) and with snails feeding on organics in sediments. Capable of reducing flows in drain-age and abstraction pipes in low-flow areas and during periods of low peak usage. Shells can clog the narrow pipes of power plants

Western, Central and Eastern Eu-rope

3. Dikerogammarus villosus

Killer shrimp Omnivorous predator, feeding on different macroinvertebrates, exhib-iting high ecological plasticity; can occupy every substratum except sand; the species is present in areas with low current velocity.

Negative impact on resident inver-tebrates; eliminates other gammarids through competition and predation; might consume fish eggs

Central Europe and along Danube Riv-er

4. Dreissena polymorpha

Zebra mussel Sesile bivalve mollusk, forming dense colonies on various hard sub-strates in fresh and slightly brackish waters; filter feeder on microscopic plankton organisms and organic particles

Competes for food/space with na-tive mussels; can cause severe habi-tat alterations; bioaccumulates pol-lutants; represents a food source for birds and benthophagous fish. Negative economic impacts: pipes clogging, fouling of cages in aquacul-ture, navigation (fouling ships and constructions)

Almost all Europe except the North and the Southern part of Spain, Italy and Balkan Penin-sula

5. Elodea canadensis Canadian pond- Macrophyte which tends to form Competes for nutrients/space with North and Central



Scientific name Common name Brief description Impact Distribution weed dense stands on hundreds of acres other aquatic plants; can

bioaccumulate nutrients and alter the habitat by reducing water movement. During blooming may impair boating, fishing, swimming and water skiing. Can clog water in-take pipes of power plants and oth-er industries

European coun-tries

6. Eriocheir sinensis Chinese mitten crab

Omnivorous predator, feeding on plants, invertebrates, fish, detritus; dominant food components: gastro-pods and bivalves. Tolerant to changes of water temperatures and salinity, low oxygen content and air exposure.

Compete for food/space, especially during mass development; damage fish nets eating the fish caught in-side. The burrowing activities of crabs increase erosion of dikes and lake embankments. They can also clog up industrial water intake fil-ters during mass occurrences.

North and Baltic Seas countries, the Atlantic seaboard of Europe and in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

7. Pseudorasbora parva Stone moroko, toupmouth gudg-eon

Zooplanktivorous fish, inhabiting shallow lakes, carp ponds, irrigation canals, ditches and slow sections of lowland rivers

It feeds on juvenile stages of native fish species; vector of infectious dis-eases (including Spherotecum destruens), constituting a serious threat to native and farmed fish in Europe. In Southern Europe it has probably contributed to the decline of some autochthonous cyprinids such as Scardinius erythrophthalmus, Carassius carassius, Rhodeus sericeus, Gobio gobio and Leucaspius delineatus. In ponds, during mass occurrence, it depletes the food supplies of farmed species like carps.

Almost all Europe

8. Salvelinus fontinalis Brook trout, sea trout

Salmonid predatory fish, feeding on amphibians, zooplankton and other

Competes with and predates on na-tive fish, such as other salmonids,

Almost all Europe, from Spain to



Scientific name Common name Brief description Impact Distribution invertebrates for food and space. In oligotrophic

mountain lakes, brook trout alter nutrient cycles and stimulate prima-ry production by accessing benthic sources of phosphorus; it hybridizes with the native brown trout, of which some hybrids are fertile.

Norway

Terrestrial plants connected with aquatic habitats

9. Amorpha fruticosa False indigo, indi-go bush

A. fruticosa grows as a glandular, thornless shrub which can reach 5 or 6 meters in height and spread to twice that in width. It grows on neu-tral, poorly acidic and poorly alka-line soils, and avoids extremely acidic and alkaline soils. It is a heliophilic species.

This plant puts at risk grass areas and alluvial forests of common oak and narrow-leaved ash in the Sava River valley where it completely co-vers the ground and screens it from the light, thus preventing the growth of other green plants and making passage difficult.

It spreads natural-ly in eastern and south-eastern USA. It was introduced to Europe in the 18th century, and first occured in Croatia at the be-ginning of the 20th century.

10. Ambrosia artemisiifolia Common ragweed, Roman worm-wood

One of the most allergenic plant species, growing along riverbanks, roadsides, cultivated fields. The plant establishes itself in freshly moved soil and disturbed areas; prefers nutrient rich bare soils with neutral or acid pH; resistant to high summer temperatures, drought and moderate soil salinity

Poor competitor, colonises plant community at early successional stages; highly allergenic, prime cause of hay fever. During the pollen release period, causes rhino-conjunctivitis, asthma and more rarely contact dermatitis and urticaria. In colonized areas, rapidly becomes the main allergenic spe-cies.


11. Echinocystis lobata Wild cucumber Fast growing plant, usually in flood-plains and forest fringes.

Its branches are growing very fast, covering large areas and overgrow-ing native vegetation. Its spatial oc-cupation competes with native spe-

Temperate and continental Europe



Scientific name Common name Brief description Impact Distribution cies. The plant contains toxic sub-stances (cucurbitacines)

12. Fallopia japonica Japanese knot-weed

Herbaceous perennial plant; prefers riparian areas. In Europe there are 3 subspecies: Fallopia japonica var. japonica, F. sachalinensis and their hybrid, F. x bohemica

Damages native riparian communi-ties by reducing light availability, alteration of the soil environment and release of allelochemicals. De-creases soil bulk density and in-creases organic matter content, wa-ter content and nutrient levels. Im-pacts other trophic levels: the bio-mass of green frog Rana clamitans was found to be negatively related to F. japonica cover. Prolific rhizome and shoot growth can damage foundations, walls, pavements, and drainage works, causing also flood hazards by in-creasing resistance to water flow and damaging flood prevention structures. Represents an excellent food source for honeybees.

Most European countries

13. Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan balsam A green vascular annual plant up to 2.5m tall; usually grows in riparian habitats and in other disturbed places with good water and nutrient supply, but inhabits also artificial waterbodies

Reduce the diversity of invaded communities, especially widespread weed or non-native species. When becomes dominant in riparian vege-tation, due to its modest root system can promote erosion, especially when compare with native domi-nants of these communities, such as Urtica dioica

Almost all temper-ate European coun-tries

Terrestrial invertebrates and vertebrates related to aquatic ecosystems

14. Mustela vison American mink Small semi-aquatic carnivore living Negative impact on ground nesting Former Soviet Un-



Scientific name Common name Brief description Impact Distribution in freshwater and marine habitats;

opportunistic predator with a vari-able diet that includes aquatic, semi-aquatic and terrestrial prey

birds (e.g. Larus ridibundus, Sterna hirundo) and small mammals (e.g. Arvicola terrestris). Compete with the European mink (Mustela lutreola) by aggression. Might be vector of Aleutian disease. Can in-flict damage to free ranging chick-ens, reared game birds, fisheries (salmon farming) and the eco-tourist industry. Germany estimates the costs of impacts to € 4.2 mio.

ion, France, UK, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Ita-ly etc.

15. Myocastor coypus Large semi-aquatic rodent living along rivers, lakes and marshes. It is herbivorous except for occasional feeding on mussels. High adaptabil-ity, inhabiting different freshwaters but also drainage canals

Severe impact on wetlands through feeding on aquatic vegetation. Selec-tive feeding caused massive reduc-tion in reedswamp areas and elimi-nated plants of Rumex spp. and Nuphar lutea over large areas. It de-stroys nests and preys on eggs of several aquatic birds, including some endangered species.


16. Nyctereutes procyonoides

Racoon dog

Omnivorous carnivore, the only canid with winter lethargy; inhabits coastal areas, littoral zones of inland surface waters, mires, bogs, fens, grasslands and woodlands, but also anthropogenic ecosystems

Predation on birds and amphibians with decreased nesting success and/or decreased population sizes. There may be competition for food and space with the raccoon (Procyon lotor), badger (Meles meles) or the red fox (V. vulpes). One of the main vectors of rabies in Europe and an important vector of sarcoptic mange, the fox tapeworm (Echinococcuss multilocularis) and trichinellosis

Eastern and Cen-tral Europe

17. Ondrata zibethicus Muskrat Aquatic rodent, eating almost any Strongly affects vegetation dynam- Northern and Cen-



Scientific name Common name Brief description Impact Distribution aquatic vegetation and crops; feeds also on crayfish, mussels, fish, am-phibians and reptiles in ponds with scarce vegetation

ics through grazing and threatens endemic species such as the desman (Desmana moschata); impacts shell-fishes, fishes and ground nesting birds; endangered mussel popula-tions are particularly impacted. They may carry Leptospira, causing Weil’s disease in humans. Interme-diate host for the cestode, Echinococcus multilocularis (infec-tion rates up to 28% in wild popula-tions). Burrowing can weaken riverbanks; extensive damage to crops, irrigation structures, rail-roads and dams; potential impact on aquaculture industry - in Germany it is estimated at € 12.4 mio/yr

tral Europe, Ukraine, Russia

18. Rattus norvegicus Norway rat, brown rat

Omnivorous and opportunistic ter-restrial rodent; inhabits anthropo-genic ecosystems, but also coastal areas, inland surface waters, mires, bogs and fens, grasslands and wood-lands, etc.

Induce negative impact on small mammals, reptiles, marine and land bird populations; it has contributed to the disappearance of several in-sular marine bird populations (i.e. Hydrobates pelagicus). Serves as a reservoir and vector of Leptospira interrogans and as a reservoir of the Hepatitis E virus.

Almost all Europe

19. Trachemys scripta Common slider

Medium to large turtle, inhabiting inland freshwaters; prefers quiet habitats, with soft bottom and abundant aquatic vegetation. The diet of this opportunistic preda-tor changes from highly carnivorous in juveniles to omnivorous in adults.

Feed on several species of plants and animals, from insects and other invertebrates to all vertebrates, in-cluding amphibians and reptiles, small mammals and birds. Compete with indigenous turtles, particularly with the endangered European

Occurs in many European coun-tries, but apparent-ly breeds only in Spain, France, Italy



Scientific name Common name Brief description Impact Distribution pond turtle Emys orbicularis. May contribute to the spread of diseases and parasites that could affect na-tive turtles and other aquatic wild-life. Considered a potential vector of Salmonella. Large specimens can in-flict painful bites.

Significant Water Management Issues - International Sava River

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