Whether accidentally or intentionally, some plants or animals may be introduced by humans into an area where they wouldn't be present naturally. Some of these species may settle down and spread. They may compete against native species, prey on them or even disrupt ecosystem processes, driving native species' extinction and provoking ecological devastation. These unwelcomed guests are known as Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and Mediterranean wetlands are unfortunately also familiar with their instrusions.

The Ramsar Convention urges countries to identify, prevent, eradicate and control invasive alien wetland species. In the Mediterranean, several Parties to the Ramsar Convention are reporting IAS as a key threat for a number of important sites via the Ramsar Sites Information Service.

In collaboration with experts from the Ramsar MedWet Specialist Group on Biodiversity, IUCN-Med presents a new storymap on the platform MEDCONSERVATIONMAP.ORG, showing Mediterranean Ramsar sites where invasive alien species have been reported as a threat, with the aim of raising awareness on their impacts in the region.

This storymap also compiles information on tools to share and harmonise data as well on project that aim to raise awareness on this topic in several Mediterranean countries.



Link to storymap:
http://www.medconservationmaps.org/story/Unwelcomed_guests

Photo: © Matthew Kosloski