EPPO Alert List species prioritised
During the 2020 meeting of the Panel on Invasive Alien Plants, five species currently included in the EPPO Alert List (Table 1.) were assessed using PM 5/6 EPPO Prioritization Process for invasive alien plants to decide whether a Pest Risk Analysis should be conducted in the short term.
Alternanthera sessilis (Amaranthaceae): was assessed as having a high spread rate. The potential impact of the species was considered medium for the EPPO region based on the current literature. For the majority of the EPPO region, the climatic conditions are not suitable for the establishment of the species. However, the species can establish in the Mediterranean region. The species is now included on the Observation List.
Bidens subalternans (Asteraceae): was assessed as having a high rate of spread, seeds can be spread by wind. The potential impact of the species in the EPPO region was considered as high. Observations in France have highlighted that the species can be problematic in agricultural systems. The species is abundant in crop fields but currently, within the EPPO region, there is no quantitative data on yield losses. A PRA may be conducted on the species in the future if further studies are published on impacts. B. subalternans will be transferred to the EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants.
Prosopis chilensis, P. glandulosa, P. velutina (Fabaceae): all three species were assessed as having a high rate of spread and high levels of impact on ecosystems and biodiversity (e.g. strong competitors for water that outcompete native species). However, the Panel highlighted that there was a lot of uncertainty of the exact species composition of invasive populations in the EPPO region, and on the potential of establishment based on eco-climatic variables. All three species will be transferred to the EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants.
Species | Form | Occurrence in EPPO region | New listing |
Alternanthera sessilis | Perennial herb | Algeria, Belgium, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Russia, Spain, Turkey | Observation List |
Bidens subalternans | Annual herb | Belgium, Croatia, France, Italy, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland | List Invasive Alien Plants |
Prosopis chilensis | Tree/shrub | Israel, Jordan and Spain | List Invasive Alien Plants |
Prosopis glandulosa | Tree/shrub | Israel, Jordan | List Invasive Alien Plants |
Prosopis velutina | Tree/shrub | Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Spain | List Invasive Alien Plants |
Sources
EPPO Secretariat (2020-06).