Natural Biodiversity

Invasive species pose a serious and rapidly deteriorating threat to natural biodiversity in Europe. Plants and animals entering new, foreign habitats can stifle natural flora or fauna and harm the environment. These organisms are known as « invasive species ». They also have social and economic effects, for example on human health, fisheries, agriculture and food production. The development of trade, tourism and cross-border freight has accelerated their spread. Today, the European Union spends at least € 12 billion a year on controlling invasive species and the damage they cause. The EU has recently put forward proposals for a European strategy to combat invasive species. Early detection is vital: it is much easier and more cost-effective to deal with incoming items before settling in an area. Raising public awareness of the invasive species is a prerequisite for the success of this effort.

The main such plant that threatens the Greek flora is the so-called « bromo tree » Ailanthus altissima (Aeilanthus the highest). The evergreen is an opportunistic plant that thrives in full sun and disturbed areas. It spreads aggressively, both from its seeds, that the light construction they have, allows them to be transported by wind over long distances, as well as by cuttings. It grows rapidly in a short time even in low light conditions, successfully competing with the native trees. It is very resistant to air, chemical and particulate pollution, including sulfur dioxide, which it absorbs into its leaves. It can withstand cement dust, coal tar fumes, and ozone exposure. In addition, high concentrations of mercury have been found in its tissues.

The evergreen has been used to rehabilitate areas of former mines and has been shown to tolerate pH levels up to 4.1. It can withstand very low phosphorus levels and high salinity levels. It is often found in areas where few trees can survive. It produces toxic substances (quasinoids) that inhibit the growth of other plants, a phenomenon known as « allelopathy ». The drought resistance of the tree is due to its ability to store water efficiently in its root system, which is very aggressive and can cause damage to foundations and underground pipes, such as sewers, water pipes or telephone and power cables. Objectives should therefore be (a) the fullest possible knowledge of its spread (b) the risk assessment for native species and biocommunities (c) the potential damage that may be caused to urban infrastructure (d) policy-making with priorities and measures to combat it and halt its spread. These serve the European policy of stopping invasive plant and animal species.

CSO: https://www.oikipa.eu/

Related SDG: 13. CLIMATE ACTION, BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION

Challenge Solutions:

• Number of solutions received with the call for local CSOs: 2

Solution #1: Climate change – ClimAP

The team created an application to help the environmental problem caused by weeds destroying the local flora. The application has three main dimensions.

First, it informs the user about problems that have been identified close to their location. It detects the user’s location and displays markers on a map which indicate problems. Clicking on a marker displays a brief description of the problem.

The second dimension concerns the user’s ability to inform the environmental organization of the existence of a problem. The application allows the user to take a photo and a video of the problem and email or post them along with some description of the problem and the location.

The last option displays general information about the purposes of the environmental organization and about the problem that the application deals with.

• Awarded project and reasons provided by the Jury: Novel ideas, efficiency of design.
• Is this the project that has been awarded also with the hackAD Special Awards? Yes

Solution #2: BioWeb

A web site that used Google Maps and allows the user to tag locations and add metadata relating to the bromo tree, level of risk, type of infestation. It also allows connection to social media apps.

• Awarded project and reasons provided by the Jury: –
• Is this the project that has been awarded also with the hackAD Special Awards? No