Bekämpfung invasiver Neophyten: beschränkte Mittel zielgerichtet einsetzen (Essay)

Abstract

Fighting invasive non-native plant species: targeted use of limited resources (essay) On the basis of two research projects carried out in 2012, Pro Natura calculated the costs of monitoring and combating invasive non-native plant species in Switzerland, and identified shortcomings in the management of these species. On average, in the five cantons covered, these costs are CHF 8.50/ha/year. If these are extrapolated for Switzerland as a whole (without Alpine meadows), this makes a total of at least CHF 19.49 million to be spent annually for coordination, control and fighting against invasive non-native plant species. This estimate does not include damage caused by these plants, nor the cost of human resources in the federal administration and research. These real costs are a plausible and useful instrument to demonstrate what the implementation of planned measures costs, so that appropriate budgets may be drawn up. The biggest shortcomings in the management of invasive non-native species, according to Pro Natura, are the absence of an overall concept, incomplete execution of legislation, and the fact that in the wild species are combated, while they are still on sale in garden centres. Pro Natura advocates a consistent ban on all non-native species which must be considered invasive, using objective criteria.