Non-Native Tree Species for European Forests: EXperiences, Risks and OpporTunities

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1 Non-Native Tree Species for European Forests: EXperiences, Risks and OpporTunities NNEXT (FP1403) Maria Cristina Monteverdi Forestry Research Centre (CREA-SEL) Viale Santa Margherita, 80 Arezzo/Italy

2 Non-Native Tree Species for European Forests: EXperiences, Risks and OpporTunities NNEXT (FP1403) Start date: End date: Chair: Marcela van Loo Vice-Chair: Heinrich SPIECKER

3 Why deal with Non Native Tree species? Producing biomass and forest products Carbon sequestration Adaptive capacity to long-term climate change Strong environmental concerns Negative effects on native species Invasiveness in a new region New pathogens and insects Loss in biodiversity and forest ecosystem resilience

4 The Current Situation in Europe 8.1 Million ha (or 5.2 %) of the total European forest area are covered with Non-Native Tree Species 10 % of the Non-Native Tree Species are considered as invasive (EEA) 135 different non-native tree species (based on 26 NNEXT country reports) Sitka Spruce and Eucalyptus have the highest share (each >1 Mill. ha), Black locust and Douglas-fir (each ha) Artificial distribution (not reflecting the natural evolution)

5 Main objectives of NNEXT Establishment of a multidisciplinary and open access network of experts for a state-of-the-art knowledge transfer on European non-native forest tree species and in-depth analysis of the associated risk and challenges in growing these species within European forestry sector

6 What is an European Non Native Tree Species? (NNEXT DEFINITION) tree species from outside their natural vegetation zone, area or region introduced to Europe after 1492 (including those from the east)

7 Europe 18th century Why an European network? there are huge differences in knowledge on Non Native Forest Tree Species across European countries : Regional history Distribution range Legal implications Industrial importance Management practices Environmental concerns Economic relevance Public perception information locked in local language Europe today

8 Participating Countries NNEXT (FP1403) 30 COST Member Countries 1 Cooperating Country: Israel 1 Near Neighbour Country: Ukraine 4 International Partner Countries: Canada China New Zealand USA

9 NNEXT species list

10 Working Groups- main goals WG 1 - Monitoring: Collecting, processing and harmonising existing information on non-native tree species distribution in Europe. WG 2 - Pathways: Assessing the introduction and distribution pathways of non-native tree species. WG 3 - Silviculture: Collecting and analysis of Management practices in Europe including their economic outcome and public perception. WG 4 - Ecological Risks: Investigating the ecological risks in particular the invasive behaviour of these tree species, their potential biotic and abiotic risks, and impact on biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.

11 Deliverables WG1 - Monitoring 1. Country reports on the distribution and importance of non-native tree species 2. Harmonized distribution maps and information covering the historic development and general forestry statistics for non-native tree species growing in Europe. 3. A list of long term research plots and available data and reports for the identified most important non-native tree species. 4. Potential distribution maps of selected nonnative tree species. (H. HASENAUER / Ch. ORAZIO)

12 Deliverables WG2 - Pathways 1. Identification of historical and present seed-and plant material-pathways from seed collection into nurseries and plantations in the forest. 2. Compilation of existing information on appropriate and non-appropriate provenances according to the geographic origin. 3. Identification and compilation of available molecular methods and existing traceability systems for checking the origin of populations of introduced forest species. 4. Summarizing knowledge on genetic aspects in natural regeneration and its role in species persistence M. KONNERT / E. ALIZOTI

13 Deliverables WG3 - Silviculture 1. Review and comparative analysis of ecology and silviculture of relevant non-native species 2. Relevance of non-natives in view of climate change 3. Overview of management practices for nonnative species M. MOHREN / V. N. NICOLESCU

14 Deliverables WG4 - Ecological Risks 1. Synthesis review document and or metadata base on existing potential biotic risks and abiotic risks. 2. Synthesis review on the invasive behaviour of natural regeneration of non-native tree species. 3. Analysis on the impact on forest ecosystem services including biodiversity A.GAZDA / A.L. CURTU, T. WOHLGEMUTH, M.P. CASTRO

15 Activities-Grant Period years (NOV) J F M A M J J A S O N D Vienna WG/MC Sofia WG/MC country presentations WG3 WG1 WG4 1 st draft of country report WG4, WG2 final country report WG2- Questionnaire (Import/export/historical records/data)

16 1 st draft of country reports: 28 Final country reports: 26 JOINT Output 2015: Publication of country reports

17 NNEXT COST website: 2nd call for STSM 2 nd call started STSM Coordinator: Oscar GODOY ogodoy@irnas.csic.es

18 NNEXT 3rd joint WG/MC Meeting Warsaw ( April 2016) Poland local organiser: Prof. Stanislaw Miscicki, Warsaw University of Life Sciences Warsaw, Poland

19 Thank you for your attention