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.

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  • Cornus sericea L.

    Redosier dogwood

    Shrub

    2010-03-11 09:44

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  • Diabrotica virgifera LeConte

    Western corn rootworm

    Insect

    2010-03-05 21:43

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  • Colombian datura virus (CDV) Kahn and Bartels (1968)

    Micro-organism

    2010-03-05 13:34

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  • Trichopsocus clarus (Banks, 1908)

    Insect

    2010-03-05 13:15

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  • Cinara juniperi (De Geer 1773)

    Insect

    2010-03-05 13:03

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Alien species in the latest report of the Polish Avifaunistic Commission

added: 2010-02-18 13:30

On 4.02.2010 the Polish Avifaunistic Commission verified a new batch of records of rare birds in Poland. Among rare alien birds, particularly interesting is the first Polish record of Reeves's Pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii. One male was recorded on 11.10.2009 near the town of Chodzież in W Poland (the picture of the observed bird was taken by Bogdan Rudzionek). Other records of alien birds verified by the Commission include Wood duck Aix sponsa, Bar-headed goose Anser indicus, Ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicensis (information on this record was reported on 26.10.2009) and a parakeet – probably Ring-necked parakeet Psittacula krameri.

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New (alien?) snake in Poland

added: 2010-02-10 10:00

The latest issue of Herpentology Notes includes an article reporting occurrence of a stable population of a Dice snake Natrix tesselata in the Czech and Polish Silesia. In 2009 around 80 individuals were recorded on the Czech side and 1 juvenile snake on the Polish side (about 9 km from the Czech population).

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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.

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