The EU Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) gives management priority to a list of species of Union concern. The current report defines an EU baseline of spatial distribution for the 18 species added to the Union list in 2019, based on the assessment of data aggregated through the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) in collaboration with the Competent Authorities of the EU Member States. The distribution baseline shows that most IAS were introduced in Europe before the 1950’s and spread across western EU countries, primarily through escapes linked with introduction for ornamental purposes and aquarium trade. The baseline constitutes an important tool supporting the implementation of the IAS Regulation, providing also information on species traits, which knowledge is of key importance in biological invasions management.
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