Survey on invasive alien plants targeting the conservation and nursery sectors in France
In anticipation of the forthcoming European regulation on invasive alien plants and to implement the European Code of conduct on horticulture and invasive alien plants, surveys have been performed in France targeting conservationists, land managers, as well as horticulturists and landscapers. The following aspects were considered in the survey:
- Definitions and concepts linked to invasive alien plants (i.e. characterics of plant invasiveness, impacts and area of origin);
- How to determine criteria when building lists of invasive species.
Results from this survey highlight divergences of opinions concerning the definition and concepts of what is an invasive plant and a lack of concertation between conservationsists on one side and those in horticulturists and landscapers on the other side. When analyzing the semantics used by the different professionals, staff working in Conservatoires Botaniques focused on the origin and the invasiveness of the species. Land managers and landscapers focused on the overall impacts, while horticulturists focused primarily on the invasiveness of the species.
Consensus approaches (initiatives in which all actors are involved in the decision-making) based on the assessment of both negative and positive impacts appear indispensable to establish a French national Code of conduct on horticulture and invasive alien plants. Consensus lists of invasive alien plants should facilitate risk prevention and be dynamic. To progress effectively on such a project, preventive actions should be accompanied by information and awareness-raising for the different professionals involved and the general public.
Sources
Guérin M, Mandon-Dalger I, Provendier D ; Thiry J (2014) Gestion préventive des plantes exotiques envahissantes. Enquête auprès des acteurs professionnels de la conservation et de la filière horticole: Définitions – Listes – Concertation. Plante ; Cité, Fédération des Conservatoires Botaniques Nationaux, ONEMA. 36 p. http://www.ecophytozna-pro.fr/m/Documents/view/365/n
Heywood VH ; Brunel S (2011) Code of conduct on horticulture and invasive alien plants. Council of Europe Publishing. 95 p. http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/nature/bern/ias/Documents/Publication_Code_en.pdf