Preventing introductions of invasive alien plants in
Belgium: a LIFE “Information & Communication”
project dedicated to the ornamental sector
Mathieu Halford
1,
Leen Heemers
2, Catherine Mathys
3, Grégory Mahy
11: Landscape and Biodiversity Unit. University of Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (Ulg GxABT) 2: Research Center for ornamental plants (PCS)
3: Horticultural Technical Center of Gembloux (CTH)
IO D IV E R S IT Y A N D L A N D S C A P E U N IT C o n ta ct : m h a lf o rd @ u lg .a c. b e
Invasive plants in horticultural catalogues
In Belgium, about 60 plant taxa are included in a black list and a watch list of invaders. Most of them are ornamentals still sold in nurseries.
Occurrence (%) of terrestrial invasive plants in horticultural catalogues (n = 146) in Belgium
AlterIAS, prevention starts in our gardens !
AlterIAS is a communication project which aims at reducing introductions of invasive plants in gardens, parks and green areas. One project, three objectives
Inform actors of the ornamental sector about the risks of invasive plants Identify alternatives and best practices in prevention
Guide actors to implement these measures in a self-regulation approach
U N IV E R S IT Y O F L IE G E – G E M B LO U X A G R O -B IO T E C H – B IO D IV E R S IT Y
Codes of conduct on invasive plants and horticulture Preventive measures will be implemented through
Codes of conduct negociated with horticulture
professionals (e.g. nursery men, public green managers, landscape architects, garden contractors).
1 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 8 12 16 18 20 22 23 23 27 27 28 30 32 38 38 42 42 49 53 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
80 % of terrestrial plants considered as invasive in Belgium are present in horticultural catalogues
Black list species Watch list species
Rhododendron ponticum Buddleja davidii Rosa rugosa Spiraea alba Heracleum mantegazzianum Duchesnea indica
Know the list of invasive plants Stop selling / planting invasive plants
Promote the use of alternative plants (non invasive plants) …
The Alterias project is supported by horticultural federations of Belgium. This project is co-financed by the LIFE program of the European Commission and by all regional and federal administrations responsible for environment in Belgium (SPW, ANB, IBGE, FPS – Environment)
Which measures ?
Take
Take--home
home message
message
- It is necessary to communicate towards gardeners and horticulture professionals in order to prevent plant invasions - Most invasive plants are still used and/or sold by the ornamental sector
- Code of conduct is a self-regulation tool based on voluntary adoption to preventive measures - More information : www.alterias.be
