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Invasive Alien Species - external resources

When dealing with Invasive Alien Species (IAS), preventing their introduction and spread will always be the most cost-effective method. If prevention has failed, eradication via early detection and rapid response (EDRR) is advised – to achieve this, an effective surveillance system is required. When a species is widespread, and eradication not considered feasible, competent authorities may consider long-term management.

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Prevention & Pathways ID & Surveillance Management Humane management Managing invasive alien species to protect pollinators Managing invasive alien species in marine environments, including offshore islands Invasive alien species partly native to the European Union

The materials below are designed to support any stakeholder involved in IAS prevention, surveillance, identification and management. The themes within the work are applicable to all IAS, but there is a particular focus on species of European Union concern. This is because IUCN provides technical and scientific support to the European Commission for implementation of the EU Regulation on IAS (No. 1143/2014).  A user-friendly introduction to this Regulation may be found here and further materials for researchers may be found here.

The resources listed here, although often hosted on external websites, were either produced by IUCN, or completed with the oversight of IUCN, and provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on the ways to prevent, manage and mitigate the impacts of IAS.

 Prevention & Pathways

Guidance on prevention and pathways of introduction and/or spreadYear
Guidance for interpretation of the CBD categories of pathways for the introduction of IAS2020
European guidelines on protected areas and IAS2014
Pathways for invasive alien wasps (Vespidae)2021
Pathways for invasive alien ants2021
Legal provisions on soil import2018
Preventing the spread of IAS through the movement of topsoil, in particular in the context of large-scale infrastructure projects2023
Invasive alien ...
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 Prevention & Pathways

Guidance on prevention and pathways of introduction and/or spreadYear
Guidance for interpretation of the CBD categories of pathways for the introduction of IAS2020
European guidelines on protected areas and IAS2014
Pathways for invasive alien wasps (Vespidae)2021
Pathways for invasive alien ants2021
Legal provisions on soil import2018
Preventing the spread of IAS through the movement of topsoil, in particular in the context of large-scale infrastructure projects2023
Invasive alien flatworms: Threats posed and potential for phytosanitary measures2021
Biofouling management for recreational boating. Recommendations to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic species2022
Trailered Boats: Preventing the spread of aquatic IAS (Poster)2022
Local & Coastal Cruising: Preventing the spread of aquatic IAS (Poster)2022
Long Distance Cruising: Preventing the spread of aquatic IAS (Poster)2022
Shore-Based Cleaning: Preventing the spread of aquatic IAS (Poster)2022
Combined poster: Preventing the spread of aquatic IAS2022
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Cabomba caroliniana

Photo: EC | Massimiliano Lipperi

Gunnera tinctoria

Photo: EC | Massimiliano Lipperi

Lampropeltis getula californiae

Photo: EC | Massimiliano Lipperi

Lepomis gibbosus

Photo: EC | Massimiliano Lipperi

Nyctereutes procyonoides

Photo: EC | Massimiliano Lipperi

Procambarus virginalis

Photo: EC | Massimiliano Lipperi

Pycnonotus cafer

Photo: EC | Massimiliano Lipperi

Rugulopteryx okamurae

Photo: EC | Massimiliano Lipperi

Vespa velutina nigrithorax

Photo: EC | Massimiliano Lipperi

Xenopus laevis

Photo: EC | Massimiliano Lipperi

ID & Surveillance 

Identification and surveillance of invasive alien speciesYear
High resolution illustrations: IAS of European Union concern
(Use authorised provided source is acknowledged, © European Commission, Artist: Massimiliano Lipperi)		2022
Poster: Animals kept in captivity2024
Poster: Aquarium animals2024
Poster: Freshwater plants2024
Poster: Lampropeltis getula2024
Poster: Ornamental plants2024
Poster: Terrestrial invertebrates2024
ID customs & surveillance: Acacia saligna2020
ID customs & ...
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ID & Surveillance 

Identification and surveillance of invasive alien speciesYear
High resolution illustrations: IAS of European Union concern
(Use authorised provided source is acknowledged, © European Commission, Artist: Massimiliano Lipperi)		2022
Poster: Animals kept in captivity2024
Poster: Aquarium animals2024
Poster: Freshwater plants2024
Poster: Lampropeltis getula2024
Poster: Ornamental plants2024
Poster: Terrestrial invertebrates2024
ID customs & surveillance: Acacia saligna2020
ID customs & surveillance: Acridotheres tristis2020
ID customs & surveillance: Alternanthera philoxeroides2017
ID customs & surveillance: Arthurdendyus triangulatus2020
ID customs & surveillance: Callosciurus erythraeus2017
ID customs & surveillance: Faxonius (Orconectes) limosus2018
ID customs & surveillance: Gunnera tincotoria2017
ID customs & surveillance: Gymnocoronis spilanthoides2020
ID customs & surveillance: Lampropeltis getula2023
ID customs & surveillance: Myriophyllum aquaticum2018
ID customs & surveillance: Myriophyllum heterophyllum2018
ID customs & surveillance: Pennisetum setaceum2018
ID customs & surveillance: Procambarus fallax f. virginalis2017
ID customs & surveillance: Salvinia molesta2020
ID customs & surveillance: Sciurus carolinensis2018
ID customs & surveillance: Tamias sibericus2017
ID customs & surveillance: Xenopus laevis2023
Two-page customs identification card: Acacia saligna2024
Two-page customs identification card: Acridotheres tristis2024
Two-page customs identification card: Alternanthera philoxeroides2024
Two-page customs identification card: Arthurdendyus triangulatus2024
Two-page customs identification card: Callosciurus erythraeus2024
Two-page customs identification card: Faxonius limosus2024
Two-page customs identification card: Gunnera tinctoria2024
Two-page customs identification card: Gymnocoronis spilanthoides2024
Two-page customs identification card: Lampropeltis getula2024
Two-page customs identification card: Myriophyllum aquaticum2024
Two-page customs identification card: Myriophyllum heterophyllum2024
Two-page customs identification card: Pennisetum setaceum2024
Two-page customs identification card: Procambarus fallax f. virginalis2024
Two-page customs identification card: Salvinia molesta2024
Two-page customs identification card: Sciurus carolinensis2024
Two-page customs identification card: Tamias sibiricus2024
Two-page customs identification card: Xenopus laevis2024
ID surveillance: Faxonius (Orconectes) limosus2018
ID surveillance: Faxonius (Orconectes) virilis2018
ID surveillance: Myriophyllum aquaticum2018
ID surveillance: Myriophylllum heterophyllum2018
ID surveillance: Myocastor coypus2018
ID surveillance: Ondatra zibethicus2018
ID surveillance: Pacifastaus leniusculus2018
ID surveillance: Procambarus clarkii2018
ID surveillance: Procambarus fallax f. virginalis2018
High resolution illustrations: ID surveillance
(Use authorised provided source is acknowledged, © European Commission, Artist: Massimiliano Lipperi)		2018
High resolution illustrations: Invasive alien snakes and frogs
(Use authorised provided source is acknowledged, © European Commission, Artist: Massimiliano Lipperi)

2023

Surveillance guidelines for IAS in the marine environment2023
High resolution illustrations: Surveillance of marine IAS
(Use authorised provided source is acknowledged, © European Commission, Artist: Massimiliano Lipperi)		2023
Guidance on establishing surveillance systems for IAS of European Union concern in terrestrial and freshwater environments2024
Case studies on surveillance methods for IAS of European Union concern2024
Analysis of options for dealing with taxonomic complexities under the EU IAS Regulation2024
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Management 

Management measures and costs for invasive alien species
Species linkCommon nameGroupYear
Acacia salignaGolden wreath rattlePlant2018
Acridotheres tristisCommon mynaAnimal2017
Ailanthus altissimaTree of HeavenPlant2017
Alopochen aegyptiacaEgyptian gooseAnimal2017
Alternanthera philoxeroidesAlligator weedPlant2017
Ambrosia confertifloraBurr ragweedPlant2018
Ameiurus melasBlack bullheadAnimal2019
Andropogon virginicusBroomsedge bluestemPlant2018
Asclepias syriacaCommon milkweedPlant2017
Axis axisA ...
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Management 

Management measures and costs for invasive alien species
Species linkCommon nameGroupYear
Acacia salignaGolden wreath rattlePlant2018
Acridotheres tristisCommon mynaAnimal2017
Ailanthus altissimaTree of HeavenPlant2017
Alopochen aegyptiacaEgyptian gooseAnimal2017
Alternanthera philoxeroidesAlligator weedPlant2017
Ambrosia confertifloraBurr ragweedPlant2018
Ameiurus melasBlack bullheadAnimal2019
Andropogon virginicusBroomsedge bluestemPlant2018
Asclepias syriacaCommon milkweedPlant2017
Axis axisAxis deer/chitalAnimal2019
Baccharis halimifoliaEastern baccharisPlant2019
Cabomba carolinianaFanwortPlant2019
Callosciurus spp., Sciurus spp., Eutamias sp.Squirrels and chipmunksAnimal2024
Cardiospermum grandiflorumBalloon vinePlant2017
Castor canadensisAmerican beaverAnimal2021
Celastrus orbiculatusOriental bittersweetPlant2021
Channa argusNorthern snakeheadAnimal2019
Channa spp.Northern snakeheadAnimal2017
Cinnamomum camphoraCamphor treePlant2017
Cortaderia jubataPurple pampas grassPlant2018
Corvus splendensIndian house crowAnimal2019
Crassula helmsiiNew Zealand pigmyweedPlant2023
Ehrharta calycinaPerennial veldt grassPlant2018
Eichhornia (Pontederia) crassipesWater hyacinthPlant2019
Elodea nuttalliiNuttall’s waterweedPlant2017
Eriocheir sinensisChinese mitten crabAnimal2019
Faxonius, Procambarus, Pacifastacus spp.Crayfish spp.Animal2019
Flatworms including Arthurdendyus triangulatusNew Zealand, Obama, New Guinea and Shovel-headed flatwormsAnimal2023
Gambusia spp.Eastern & Western GambusiaAnimal2022
Gunnera tinctoriaChilean rhubarbPlant2017
Gymnocoronis spilanthoidesSenegal tea plantPlant2017
Hakea sericeaSilky hakeaPlant2018
Hemigrapsus sanguineusAsian shore crabAnimal2019
Heracleum spp.Hogweed spp.Plant2019
Humulus scandensJapanese hopPlant2018
Hydrocotyle ranunculoidesFloating pennywortPlant2019
Hygrophila polyspermaIndian swampweedPlant2017
Impatiens glanduliferaHimalayan balsamPlant2017
Lagarosiphon majorCurly waterweedPlant2019
Lepomis gibbosusPumpkinseedAnimal2017
Lespedeza cuneataChinese bushcloverPlant2018
Limnoperna fortuneiGolden musselAnimal2017
Lithobates catesbeianusAmerican bullfrogAnimal2019
Ludwigia spp.Water primrose & floating primrose willowPlant2019
Lygodium japonicumVine-like fernPlant2018
Lysichiton americanusAmerican skunk cabbagePlant2019
Microstegium vimineumJapanese stiltgrassPlant2017
Morone americanaWhite perchAnimal2018
Myriophyllum heterophyllumBroadleaf watermilfoil Plant2017
Myriophyllum spp.Broadleaf watermilfoil & parrot’s featherPlant2019
Nasua nasuaCoatiAnimal2019
Neogale visonAmerican minkAnimal2025
Neogale visonCase studies: American minkAnimal2025
Nyctereutes procyonoides Raccoon dogAnimal2017
Ondatra zibethicusMuskratAnimal2017
Parthenium hysterophorusWhitetop weedPlant2019
Pennisetum setaceumFountain grassPlant2017
Perccottus gleniiAmur sleeperAnimal2019
Perna viridisAsian green musselAnimal2018
Persicaria perfoliataAsiatic tearthumbPlant2019
Pheretimoid earthwormsJumping worms – primarily Amynthas spp.Animal2023
Pistia stratiotesWater lettucePlant2017
Procyon lotorRaccoonAnimal2025
Prosopis julifloraMesquitePlant2018
Pseudorasbora parvaStone morokoAnimal2019
Pterois miles: Produced by the RELIONMED-LIFE projectCommon lionfishAnimal2020
Pueraria montana var. lobataKudzu vinePlant2019
Pycnonotus caferRed-vented bulbulAnimal2019
Rapana venosaRapana whelkAnimal2019
Reynoutria spp.KnotweedsPlant2023
Rugulopteryx okamuraeOkamura’s brown algaPlant2020
Salvinia molestaSalvinia mossPlant2017
Schizoporella japonicaOrange ripple bryozoanAnimal2019
Snakes including Lampropeltis getulaMultiple snake speciesAnimal2023
Solenopsis spp. Fire antsAnimal2022
Threskiornis aethiopicusSacred ibisAnimal2019
Trachemys scriptaPond sliderAnimal2019
Triadica sebiferaChinese tallow treePlant2018
Trichosurus vulpeculaCommon brushtail possumAnimal2017
Vespa velutina nigrithoraxAsian hornetAnimal2019
Wasmannia auropunctataLittle fire antAnimal2022
Xenopus laevisAfrican clawed frogAnimal2024
The application of classical biological control for the management of established IAS causing environmental impactsMulti-speciesAnimal & Plant2019
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Humane management of vertebrate invasive alien species of European Union concernYear
Manual for the management of vertebrate invasive alien species of Union concern – incorporating animal welfare2022
Appendices on management measures assessments2022
Appendices on regional conditions2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Bulgarian2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Croatian2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Danish2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate ...
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Humane management of vertebrate invasive alien species of European Union concernYear
Manual for the management of vertebrate invasive alien species of Union concern – incorporating animal welfare2022
Appendices on management measures assessments2022
Appendices on regional conditions2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Bulgarian2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Croatian2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Danish2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Dutch2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: English2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Estonian2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: French2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: German2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Greek2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Hungarian2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Italian2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Latvian2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Lithuanian2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Polish2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Portuguese2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Romanian2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Slovak2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Slovenian2022
Brochure on the management of vertebrate IAS: Spanish2022
Multi-language factsheets 2022
Database on EU case studies2022
Report on EU case studies2022
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Invasive alien species partly native to the European Union
Species linkCommon nameYear
Apis mellifera European honey bee2019
Arion vulgarisIberian slug2020
Asterias rubensCommon starfish2019
Bombus terrestris subsp. sassaricusBumblebee2020
Centaurea diluta North African knapweed2019
Cercopagis pengoi Fishhook waterflea2019
Cordylophora caspia European fouling hydroid2019
Crocidura russula Greater white-toothed shrew2019
Dikerogammarus villosusKiller shrimp2019
Dreissena polymorpha Zebra mussel2019
Hemimysis ...
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Invasive alien species partly native to the European Union
Species linkCommon nameYear
Apis mellifera European honey bee2019
Arion vulgarisIberian slug2020
Asterias rubensCommon starfish2019
Bombus terrestris subsp. sassaricusBumblebee2020
Centaurea diluta North African knapweed2019
Cercopagis pengoi Fishhook waterflea2019
Cordylophora caspia European fouling hydroid2019
Crocidura russula Greater white-toothed shrew2019
Dikerogammarus villosusKiller shrimp2019
Dreissena polymorpha Zebra mussel2019
Hemimysis anomala Bloody red shrimp2019
Lepus europaeus European hare2019
Myodes glareolus Bank vole2019
Natrix mauraViperine snake2019
Neogobius melanostomusRound goby2019
Oryctolagus cuniculus European rabbit2019
Pelophylax ridibundus Eurasian marsh frog2019
Podarcis siculusItalian wall lizard2019
Rumex alpinusMonk’s rhubarb2019
Silurus glanis European catfish2019
Telekia speciosaHeart-leaved ox eye2019
Thaumetopoea processionaOak processionary moth2019

 

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