At the end of March, our colleague Assoc. Prof. Antonín Kouba, Ph.D., took part in expert meetings in Brussels focused on assessing the invasiveness of selected non‑native aquatic species. The main purpose of the trip was participation in specialized meetings focused on assessing the invasiveness of eight non‑native species. These meetings represent a key step that may lead to their inclusion on the EU list of invasive alien species of Union concern.
This list includes species with proven or highly probable negative impacts on ecosystems, the ability to spread rapidly across Europe, and for which effective measures exist to limit their introduction, expansion, and ecological damage.
Non‑native Crustaceans: A Topic Currently Shaping Debates Across Europe
The issue of non‑native crustaceans has come to the forefront of European environmental policy in recent years — not only due to ongoing ecological and climate changes, but also because of the dynamic spread of several significant species. Czech participation in Brussels was highly valued thanks to long‑term, systematic, and internationally respected research in this field.
Among the species assessed this year were, for example:
- Florida crayfish Procambarus alleni – whose first and so far only European population was recorded in Hungary in 2018 (original article here),
- East Asian river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense – with the first documented occurrences in Central Europe reported in 2023 in Germany and Hungary (original article here).
Czech Expertise Influences European Decision‑Making
Thanks to long‑term data collection, strong international collaboration, and extensive scientific publications, Czech researchers can provide uniquely relevant and well‑supported information that directly influences European processes in water protection, biodiversity, and invasive species management.
Participation in these expert meetings not only strengthens the scientific standing of Czech research institutions at the European level but also contributes to more effective nature conservation across the entire European Union.
