LIFE RIPARIAS: A BLUEPRINT FOR COORDINATED AND EVIDENCE-BASED INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES MANAGEMENT

Biological invasions pose a major challenge for biodiversity conservation and require coordinated, evidence-based management frameworks. Yet, designing and implementing such frameworks remains particularly difficult in administratively complex contexts. The LIFE RIPARIAS project set out to develop and test an evidence-based approach to invasive alien species (IAS) management in river basins of Belgium. This presentation explores LIFE RIPARIAS key objectives, namely (i) strengthening early detection and surveillance, (ii) providing science-based decision support to managers, and (iii) enhancing coordination among stakeholders and authorities. Methods combined improved data interoperability, stakeholder training, and the creation of a dedicated decision-support system (ManaIAS) to prioritise management actions based on objective criteria and species distribution. River-basin-wide strategies were co-developed with stakeholders and validated by political authorities to ensure feasibility and uptake. Results show a significant improvement in the IAS information flow: surveillance observations sharply increased, and more than 300 stakeholders were trained. ManaIAS guided prioritisation of actions ranging from early
detection and rapid eradication of emerging species to tailored management of widespread IAS.
Currently, more than 50 high-priority sites are under active management following agreed
strategies. In conclusion, LIFE RIPARIAS demonstrates that inclusive, data-driven approaches
can deliver coherent and effective IAS management strategies even in fragmented administrative settings. Its framework offers a transferable model for replication across Europe, supporting implementation of the EU IAS Regulation.