List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern

Study Extent

European Union.

Sampling

This checklist is based on the consolidated version of the implementing regulations accompanying the EU IAS Regulation and updating the list of species of Union Concern, and carefully considering the appropriate taxonomy. The checklist contains the species of the fourth batch (third update) of the Union list (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1203), including species with a future entry into force date because of a prolonged transition period. We published the list as mentioned in the implementing regulations which meant including the subspecies level (e.g. Vespa velutina nigrithorax), yet most occurrence data are published at species level on GBIF. Therefore, users are advised to carefully check the metadata of the datasets from which they intend to harvest data on Union list species.

Quality Control

See step description.

Method steps

1. The source data for this standardized checklist is a text separated file, maintained by the Research Institute of Nature and Forest (INBO) and updated regularly at https://github.com/riparias/union-list/blob/main/data/raw/list_of_invasive_alien_species_of_union_concern.tsv.
2. We developed a RMarkdown script to document and perform the transformation of the data to Darwin Core, which includes the following steps:
3. Generate stable and unique identifiers for each taxon (taxonID).
4. Create a taxon core file (http://rs.gbif.org/core/dwc_taxon.xml), with information about the higher classification and synonyms.
5. Create a vernacular names profile extension file (http://rs.gbif.org/extension/gbif/1.0/vernacularname.xml) with common names in multiple languages.
6. Create a description extension file (http://rs.gbif.org/extension/gbif/1.0/description.xml), with entry into force dates.
7. The resulting Darwin Core data files are uploaded to the INBO IPT and documented with metadata.
8. The dataset is published and registered with GBIF.

This checklist currently (february 2022) includes 88 alien species from 3 kingdoms (47 animals, 40 plants, 1 chromista). We also included 10 commonly used synonyms.

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom
2. Chromista
   rank: kingdom
3. Plantae
   rank: kingdom
4. Arthropoda
5. Chordata
6. Ochrophyta
7. Platyhelminthes
8. Tracheophyta

This checklist covers species that are non-native to the European Union. The aim of the checklist is to provide the Union list species openly on GBIF so they can be used for general reference, early warning systems, data extractions, baseline reporting, use in distribution and management reporting applications, feeding of policy indicators etc.