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Alien plant and animal species

Many ornamental and crop plants, as well as undesirable species, have been and continue to be widely distributed unintentionally as "stowaways", for example on ships or through transit traffic. In particular, plant diasporas, i.e. persistence and distribution units such as seeds or root sprouts, can be spread over long distances by attachment, air currents or contamination of commercial goods and building materials. These often find ideal habitats on economically unused areas next to roads (traffic-accompanying areas) and spread along these.

The picture shows an economically unused area next to a road Plant diasporas often find ideal habitats on roadside areas (Picture: Sergiy Trofimov Photography/Moment/Getty Images)

The majority of alien species living in the wild in Germany are harmless to humans and the environment. Around 800 alien plant and animal species have already established themselves permanently in Germany. However, some species can have undesirable effects on human health, the economy or indigenous communities and biotopes. According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, invasive species are included in the list of invasive alien species of Union concern, which currently includes 23 vascular plants, seven invertebrate species and 19 vertebrates (as of 2018). In addition, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation lists other plant and animal species that are described in Germany as invasive or potentially invasive because they pose a significant or at least potential threat to biological diversity. The aim is to contain the negative impacts of such species through prevention or management.

The picture shows a giant hogweed The the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). It can cause severe skin reactions in combination with sunlight and is listed on the Union list. (Picture: Fresh, amazing pictures make people look!/Moment/Getty Images)

Why are alien species an issue at the roadside?

Roadside areas have an increased occurrence of invasive and potentially invasive species and could therefore play a crucial role in the prevention and management of these species in the future. On the one hand, a binding legal framework for dealing with invasive animal and plant species in all Member States has been established for the species on the Union list; on the other hand, some invasive and potentially invasive species are fast-growing and high-growing, hazardous to health, difficult to eradicate or can cause damage to infrastructure.

The picture shows Japanese knotweed Hard to remove: the Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) (Picture: Fottoblotto/iStock / Getty Images Plust/Getty Images)

The occurrence of such species on roadside areas can thus cause increased maintenance costs for the road maintenance service. The avoidance of colonisation, the timely elimination and management of established populations on roadside areas should therefore be the aim. At the same time, there is growing concern that the effort and cost of care and maintenance will increase in the future. Maintenance guidelines must be developed that prevent the establishment and spread of invasive and potentially invasive species, take nature conservation and landscape conservation requirements into account, and contribute to reducing the workload and costs of maintaining existing and planning future infrastructure facilities.    

What does BASt contribute?

The BASt identifies the alien species relevant for the road and their introduction and dispersal paths. In addition, various measures to control alien species will be developed, validated and evaluated.

In addition, BASt is involved in the BMVI Network of Experts, which investiges similar research topics for road, rail and waterway transport modes in the priority area "Development of practice-oriented and preventive maintenance strategies for the control and minimisation of the impact of alien species (neobiota)".

Sub-projects

BASt in charge

  • The potential of traffic-accompanying areas to promote biodiversity and their role in the spread of alien species (Hildesheim study area)
  • Development of invasive plant populations on traffic-accompanying areas – a follow-up study on former BMVI long-term test areas
  • Questionnaire on the management of alien species in roadside areas

BASt Participation

  • Identification and risk assessment of invasive species critical for the railways
  • Modelling of invasive species by modes of transport
  • The potential of traffic-accompanying areas to promote biodiversity and their role in the spread of alien species (Aschaffenburg study area)
  • Vegetation studies at selected locations of the Port of Hamburg