The European Commission’s website (Energy, Climate Change, Environment section) has recently highlighted a new italian approach to managing the invasion of alien plants. The research, published in the journal Ecological Indicators, was conducted by an interdisciplinary group of experts from various academic institutions and research centers in Italy. Professor Iduna Arduini of the University of Pisa contributed primarily by collecting and analyzing data on invasive plant species.
Using Italy as a case study, scientists examined the current and future spread of 34 invasive plant species, integrating predictive climate models with real distribution data. Based on the results, the plants were classified into three management categories:
- Eradication: for species with a high risk of invasion but still in the early stages.
- Control and containment: for species that are already widespread but still manageable.
- Monitoring: for species that are already widely distributed or whose impacts remain uncertain.
Thanks to this methodology, a more effective approach to combating invasive plants can be adopted, preventing environmental damage and optimizing resource use.
“Fortunately, not all alien species become invasive,” explains Professor Arduini. “For example, of the 1,597 alien plant species recorded in Italy, only about 14% have exhibited invasive behavior. It is therefore crucial to identify those that require eradication, control, or simple monitoring. Eradication efforts are recommended for potentially invasive species that are not yet widely spread. Among these are Nelumbo nucifera (lotus flower) and Phyllostachys aurea (golden bamboo), both ornamental species whose release into the environment must be strictly avoided, whether in the form of seeds or fragments.”
