Invasiva arter och transportinfrastruktur

With the introduction of a new EU regulation in 2015 all member states have to take action against invasive alien species (IAS). Since the transport sector contributes heavily to IAS spread and establishment, it needs dedicated research and action plans. This report reviews the international literature on IAS within transport-related environments, identifies national research needs in Sweden and recommends strategies for successful countermeasures against IAS. The basic terminology and principles of invasion biology are explained, followed by an extensive review of dispersal via terrestrial transportation networks. Motor vehicles were found to be a significant contributor to long-distance dispersal and the spread of alien and invasive species. However, widely varying methods, scope and study localities of previously published studies make direct comparisons difficult. New, empirical and more systematic studies are needed to investigate the spread of IAS via the transportation network. To illustrate the need for an individual evaluation, three example species are presented in detail (Heracleum mantegazzianum, Lupinus polyphyllus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia), and other problematic groups are discussed. Available tools and information systems that can be used for documentation and control are presented. It is imperative that alien and not only already invasive species are considered. Furthermore, a national blacklist should be created which is regularly updated, and the inclusion of specialists as well as the general public is needed to counteract the negative consequences of IAS.