List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern
Citation
Adriaens T, Oldoni D (2023). List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern. Version 1.1. Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO). Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/97aucj accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-05-17.Description
The List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern (also called the Union list) is a species checklist dataset published by the Research Institute of Nature and Forest (INBO). This list contains regulated invasive alien species (IAS) that require action at European Union Level, and is at the core of Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of IAS (the IAS Regulation). The list has an evidence base in risk assessments, showing potentially significant adverse impacts on biodiversity or related ecosystem services. The species included on the Union list are subject to restrictions and measures set out in the Regulation. These include restrictions on keeping, importing, selling, breeding and growing. Member States are required to take action on pathways of unintentional introduction, to take measures for the early detection and rapid eradication of these species, and to manage species that are already widely spread in their territory.
The list is dynamic and is subject to regular updates when new species are added. Here, it is published as a standardized Darwin Core Archive and includes for each species: the scientific name, higher classification and stable taxon identifier (in the taxon core), the English, Dutch, French and German common names in line with www.iasregulation.be, the date of entry into force (the date the provisions of the Regulation enter into force for the species, as mentioned in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/141, 2017/1263, 2019/1262, 2022/1203). Issues with the dataset can be reported at https://github.com/riparias/union-list/issues. For more information on the EU IAS Regulation and the list of IAS of Union concern, please see the European Commission webpage on IAS (https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/invasive-alien-species_en), the IUCN website on the IAS Regulation (https://www.iucn.org/our-work/topic/invasive-alien-species) and the European Alien Species Information Network.
We have released this dataset to the public domain under a Creative Commons Zero waiver. We would appreciate it if you follow the INBO norms for data use (https://www.inbo.be/en/norms-data-use) when using the data. If you have any questions regarding this dataset, don't hesitate to contact us via the contact information provided in the metadata or via [email protected].
This dataset was published as open data for the LIFE RIPARIAS project (Reaching Integrated and Prompt Action in Response to Invasive Alien Species https://www.riparias.be/), with technical support provided by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO).
Sampling Description
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
- 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.
- We developed a RMarkdown script to document and perform the transformation of the data to Darwin Core, which includes the following steps:
- Generate stable and unique identifiers for each taxon (taxonID).
- Create a taxon core file (http://rs.gbif.org/core/dwc_taxon.xml), with information about the higher classification and synonyms.
- Create a vernacular names profile extension file (http://rs.gbif.org/extension/gbif/1.0/vernacularname.xml) with common names in multiple languages.
- Create a description extension file (http://rs.gbif.org/extension/gbif/1.0/description.xml), with entry into force dates.
- The resulting Darwin Core data files are uploaded to the INBO IPT and documented with metadata.
- The dataset is published and registered with GBIF.
Taxonomic Coverages
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Animaliarank: kingdom
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Chromistarank: kingdom
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Plantaerank: kingdom
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Arthropoda
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Chordata
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Ochrophyta
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Platyhelminthes
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Tracheophyta
Geographic Coverages
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Tim Adriaensoriginator
Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
BE
email: [email protected]
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7268-4200
Damiano Oldoni
originator
Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
BE
email: [email protected]
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3445-7562
Tim Adriaens
metadata author
Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
BE
email: [email protected]
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7268-4200
Damiano Oldoni
administrative point of contact
Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
BE
email: [email protected]
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3445-7562