NOBANIS European network on invasive alien species Helene Nyegaard Hvid

1. NOBANISEuropean network on invasive alien speciesHelene Nyegaard Hvid

2. NOBANIS - historically • NOBANIS started out as a NCM project in 2004 with funding 2004-2008 • First Nordic and Baltic countries (NOBANIS) • Origial aim: Regional coorporation/ information sharing on IAS + web + database • When the NCM project stopped in 2008 there was still a great interest in keeping the network alive • More member countries expressed interest and joined

3. Now: Voluntary network for coorporation/ information sharing on IAS + web + database NOBANIS – area and users • A network between authorities of the region – management • In 19 countries and 2 territories + Greenland, Svalbard and Faroe Islands

4. NOBANIS - scope • Terrestrial, marine and freshwater habitats – total of 7185 species • Also including not established species • Groups (23): Angiosperms, Annelids, Arthropods, Birds, Bryophytes, Cnidarians, Comb jellies, Coniferous plants, Ferns, Fish, Flatworms, Fungi, Macroalgae, Mammals, Microorganisms, Molluscs, Nematodes, Other chordates, Other invertebrates, Phytoplankton, Protozoans, Reptilia & amphibia, Sea urchins & starfish

5. NOBANIS - database • The idea behind this database is to keep the information required as simple as possible and then list other references • Country • Family name • Species name • Common name • Group • Year of introduction • Year of first report • Natural distribution • Type of introduction • Pathway • Habitat • Status • Frequency • Invasiveness • Impact • Comments • Last updated + fact sheets with more info about the worst aliens in the region

6. NOBANIS - funding, maintenance and future • Originally (2004-2008) funded through NCM • Now funding is received through voluntary contributions from member countries and through project participation • Databases are maintained, updated and uploaded by member countries • Support by the secretariat (1 person)

7. NOBANIS – quality control • Each national database is built according to an authority file with a set vocabulary • Restrictions in upload (no dublettes) • Still have issues with taxonomy, spelling and synonyms • All NOBANIS data was given to DAISIE • Interested in coorperating with EU database

8. NOBANIS - definitions • NOBANIS adheres to definitions from COP 6 (decision VI/23) Alien species - a species, subspecies or lower taxon (such as a variety, race, provenance or stock), introduced outside its natural past or present distribution; includes any part, gametes, seeds, eggs, or propagules of such species that might survive and subsequently reproduce; Invasive alien species - an alien species whose introduction and/or spread threaten biological diversity; Introduction - the movement by human agency, indirect or direct, of an alien species outside of its natural range (past or present). This movement can be either within a country or between countries or areas beyond national jurisdiction;

9. NOBANIS – added value • The database is continually updated • NOBANIS has 19 member countries and thus represent a large part of the EU member states • We have held EW workshop, conducted pilot projects for EW systems, and are at the moment testing the use of biogeographical zones • We have a large network of contacts in both ministries and research

10. Thanks!Please visit www.nobanis.org or contact nobanis@sns.dk for more information.