Accidental Introduction and Spread of Top Invasive Alien Plants in the European Union through Human-Mediated Agricultural Pathways: What Should We Expect?

Abstract

Alien species are among the five drivers of environmental change with the largest relative global impacts. In particular, horticulture is a major introduction pathway of alien plants, but, together with intentional introductions, plants can also be introduced and spread via human-mediated involuntary pathways as contaminants and stowaways. Recurring accidental introductions of alien plants to new areas can be the prelude to invasion on a large scale. Agriculture represents a sector that is severely impacted by invasive alien species and, at the same time, it is likely to be one of the main factors responsible of biological invasions. So, the present review highlights risks related to accidental introduction though human-mediated agricultural pathways of a politically relevant group of alien plants, invasive alien plants of Union concern (IAPUC), that are species whose prevention and management is mandatory in the European Union according to Regulation (EU) n. 1143/2014. Even if most IAPUCs have been primarily introduced as economic plants, several accidental pathways related to agriculture can be identified for each one of them. The implementation of technologies and the sharing of good practices, at a wide scale and at different levels of the society, would help in overcoming several problematic issues related to the accidental transport of IAPUCs.

Impact of Invasive Plant Species on Ecosystems, Biodiversity Loss and Their Potential Industrial Applications

“…It was also proposed the dispersion limitation of these species by implementing a more critical management of ornamental horticulture and educating the consumer public about its aspects (Hulme et al, 2018), because it is a main context for the introduction of potentially invasive plants (Hulme et al, 2018, Arianoutsou et al, 2021, Beaury et al, 2021, Montagnani et al, 2022. Takaya et al (2022) attempted to improve the detection of non-arboreal invasive species distribution from satellite imagery, which had an average accuracy of 89% for Solidago canadensis, for monitoring purposes and then to choose appropriate management measures.…”

“…Unfortunately, most of the time interest is given to covering losses incurred, not to preventing them (Adelino et al, 2021). These species can accidentally enter a new area (Montagnani et al, 2022) due to intensive tourism (Renault et al, 2021) or numerous roadsides (Gusev, 2019). Horticultural species spread easily with the help of birds and wind (Celesti-Grapow and Ricotta, 2021).…”

Invasion history and distribution of the aquatic alien Elodea canadensis (Hydrocharitaceae) in Turkey

“…They may cause extinction of species or altering the genetic diversity of the populations. Additionally, they can modify the trophic hierarchy and overall habitat properties (Montagnani et al 2022). They can cause economic and health damages.…”

“…They can cause economic and health damages. Increasing human activities promote invasive species distribution by helping them to cross biogeographic barriers (Montagnani et al 2022).…”

Factors Affecting Seed Germination of the Invasive Species Symphyotrichum lanceolatum and Their Implication for Invasion Success

“…In contrast, vegetative propagules rarely possess mechanisms that allow them to be dispersed over long distances [ 17 , 18 ]. Nevertheless, it is also important to note that there are many cases of introduction of clones or vegetative propagules (bulbs, bulbils) that are at the base of many cases of invasion [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”