Title: Invasive species cost Europe €12 billion each year
[EEA 21 February 2013] The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released two reports on invasive species. The first, titled "The impacts of invasive alien species in Europe," discusses the effects and spread of some invasive species. Weed species examined include Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis), pontic rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). The second, titled "Invasive alien species indicators in Europe," looks at the methodology for collecting the data. The first report notes, through 28 dedicated species accounts, that invasive species are largely introduced for horticulture, but also for other reasons including farming, hunting and fishing, or as pets. Trade and tourism can compound the effects of their diffusion as well as climate change, which allows for some species to spread more easily. The report on indicators also highlights the high economic costs of invasive alien species. It estimates that they cost Europe around €12 billion per year, by damaging crops or fouling water filtration plants and water cooling reservoirs of power plants. [Photo: Pontic rhododendron is the most important host for Sudden Oak Death that threatens trees, woodland ecosystems and other habitats in Europe.] ${imageDescription} Comment
