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Energy, Climate change, Environment

Alien Species

Objective

The objective is to analyse and summarize existing observation data on building up Baltic Sea alien species database and assess their ecosystem and economy impacts. The task includes:

  • Collate and verify information on the Baltic Sea alien species taxonomy and their introduction history
  • Compile and analyse data on alien species impacts on ecosystem and economy
  • Produce a digital map of alien species distribution in the Baltic Sea area
  • Identify knowledge gaps in relation to alien species and identify most suitable indicators to determine their impacts on marine ecosystem and economy
  • Review new technologies allowing early detection and more accurate identification of alien species.

Inputs for this challenge are:

  • Two information systems on alien species developed in the course of recent EU FP7 projects and hosted at the Klaipeda University server: BINPAS (Biological invasion impact / biopollution assessment system) and AquaNIS (Information system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species).
  • Additionally, relevant data sets were gathered from the multiple data collections on alien species from national, regional (Baltic) and pan-European projects and initiatives, such as: EU Concerted Action "Testing Monitoring Systems for Risk Assessment of Harmful Introductions by Ships to European Waters", FP6 projects ALARM "Assessing Large-scale environmental risks with tested methods", DAISIE "Delivering Alien Species Inventory for Europe", IMPASSE "Environmental impacts of invasive alien species in aquaculture"; EU FP7 projects MEECE "Marine Ecosystem Evolution in a Changing Environment", VECTORS “Vectors of change in oceans and seas marine life, impact on economic sectors”, DEVOTES “Development of innovative tools for understanding marine biodiversity and assessing good environmental status”;
  • European Census of Marine Life,
  • Baltic Sea Alien Species Database,
  • HELCOM, ICES WG on Introduction and Transfer of Marine Organisms, ICES WG on Ballast and Other Ship Vectors. Furthermore, the outcome of the literature survey was used to compile missing information on alien species impacts on marine ecosystem and economy.
  • EMODnet Biodiversity

Participants

Klaipėda University