EASIN - European Alien Species Information Network
An alien species early warning by using sentinel plants
Early warning is crucial to face the threat of introduction of harmful species, considering the rapid increase of global trade.
Early warning is crucial to face the threat of introduction of harmful species, considering the rapid increase of global trade.
Monitoring plants outside their natural range, for instance in botanic gardens and arboreta, may allow to understand and predict potential threats to a country's plant health. These plants act as "Sentinels", allowing to increase the understanding of pests and pathogens, identify new pest-host association and potential biocontrol agents, and develop control or mitigation programmes.
The International Plant Sentinel Network (IPSN) is a global network of botanic gardens, plant health institutes and National Plant Protection Organisations working together to provide an early warning system for new and emerging pests and pathogens.