Horizon scanning for potential invasive alien species for Spain
Horizon scanning for potential invasive alien species is an important exercise which can identify threats early on and therefore enable mitigation measures against certain species before they enter a region. Horizon scanning was conducted for Spain in a three staged approach involving (1) thematic groups of experts were established (e.g. on plants, terrestrial invertebrates), (2) data collection and preliminary evaluation of species, and (3) consensus ranking of potential invasive alien species. The final consensus found 47 invasive alien species pose a very high risk of arrival, establishment and negative ecological impact in Spain. Of these, 11 species were alien plant species (Table 1).
Table 1. Potential invasive alien species for Spain.
Species | Family | EPPO Status |
Cabomba caroliniana | Cabombaceae | List of Invasive Alien Plants |
Crassula helmsii | Crassulaceae | EPPO A2 List |
Fallopia x bohemica | Polygonaceae | List of Invasive Alien Plants |
Hydrilla verticillata | Hydrocharitaceae | List of Invasive Alien Plants |
Lagarosiphon major | Hydrocharitaceae | List of Invasive Alien Plants |
Ligustrum sinense | Oleaceae | |
Miscanthus sinensis | Poaceae | EPPO Observation List |
Prunus serotina | Rosaceae | List of Invasive Alien Plants |
Pueraria montana var. lobata | Fabaceae | EPPO A2 List |
Salvinia molesta | Salviniaceae | EPPO A2 List |
Sphagneticola trilobata | Asteraceae |
Sources
Cano-Barbacil C, Carrete M, Castro-Díez P, Delibes-Mateos M, Jaques JA, Lopez-Darias M, Nogales M, Pino J, Ros M, Traveset A, Turon X, Vilá M, Altamirano M, Álvarez I, Arias A, Boix D, Cabido C, Cacabelos E, Cobo F, Cruz J, Cuesta JA, Dáder B, del Estal P, Gallardo B, Gómez Laporta M, González-Moreno P, Hernández JC, Jiménez-Alfaro B, Lázaro Lobo A, Leza M, Montserrat M, Oliva-Paterna FJ, Piňeiro L, Ponce C, Pons P, Rotchés-Ribalta R, Roura-Pascual N, Sánchez M, Trillo A, Viňuela E, García-Berthou E (2023) Identification of potential invasive alien species in Spain through horizon scanning. Journal of Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118696