Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are commonly regarded as a major threat to the biological diversity on a global scale, second only to habitat loss. Although the problem is well recognised, concerted attempts to solve it have only been undertaken within last decades few years. Collection and dissemination of information on IAS are widely recognised as crucial components for solving the problems they pose.

In 1999, the database on species introduced into Poland was developed at the Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow for the Ministry of the Environment. In 2003, thanks to a grant from the US State Department, part of the data was translated and made accessible on the Internet.

» read more

  • Amara majuscula (Chaudoir, 1850)

    Insect

    » read more

  • Ahasverus advena (Waltl, 1836)

    Foreign grain beetle

    Insect

    » read more

  • Acanthoscelides obtectus Say 1831

    Bean weevil

    Insect

    » read more

Costs of biological invasions in Europe

added: 2009-11-12 11:30

A report discussing options for developing a European policy on invasive species has been just posted on the European Commission webpage. The report also includes an estimate of the costs caused by invasives to the European economy. This cost is roughly estimated at 12 billion € per year.

No closed season for American mink, Raccoon dog and Raccoon

added: 2009-10-27 12:15

According to the new decree of the Minister of Environment issued on 22 September 2009, hunting American mink, Raccoon dog and Raccoon is possible throughout the year. Previously these invasive alien species enjoyed closed season allowing them to breed. The new regulation will hopefully help to reduce population numbers of these species.

New record of Rudy duck in Poland

added: 2009-10-26 14:00

One specimen of Ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicenis was recorded between 25.10.-8.11.2009, in the complex of fishponds in Łężczok (S Poland; BirdWatching.pl). Due to hybridisation, this species is the main threat to the long-term survival of the globally threatened European White-headed duck O. leucocephala.

» read more

Muscovy duck breeding in the wild in Poland

added: 2009-09-23 13:30

On 20.09.2009, in the complex of fishponds Stawy Milickie in the Barycz river valley (SW Poland) a pair of Muscovy ducks Cairina moschata with 14 ducklings were recorded (BirdWatching.pl). This duck is one of the most common poultry species in Poland but its breeding in the wild had not been previously recorded. The reported records suggests that Poland may join several other European states where wild populations of this species are found (DAISIE, NOBANIS).

NOBANIS meeting in Kraków

added: 2009-09-16 13:00

The NOBANIS group will meet in Krakow between 24-25 September. NOBANIS (European Network on Invasive Alien Species) has developed a network of common databases on alien and invasive species in 18 countries of central and northern Europe. Polish data are provided by the „Alien Species in Poland” database.