European Union List of Invasive Alien Species with Common Names

The List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern is a species checklist dataset published by the Research Institute of Nature and Forest (INBO). It contains regulated invasive alien species that require action at the European Union level, with an evidence base in risk assessments. The dataset is published as a standardized Darwin Core Archive and includes scientific names, higher classification, taxon identifiers, and common names in English, Dutch, French, and German.

Use Cases

• Track regulatory status and entry dates for invasive species based on the date of entry into force.
• Map species taxonomy and classification based on the scientific name and higher classification fields.
• Support multilingual applications or public awareness campaigns based on the included English, Dutch, French, and German common names.
• Analyze policy implementation and species management pathways as described in the EU IAS Regulation.

Strengths

• Includes a stable taxon identifier for each species, aiding data linkage.
• Provides common names in four languages (English, Dutch, French, German), supporting broader accessibility.
• Has a defined evidence base in risk assessments and is at the core of a specific EU regulation (1143/2014).
• Dataset is dynamic and subject to regular updates when new species are added.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Research Institute of Nature and Forest (INBO)

Collection Method

Published as a standardized Darwin Core Archive, compiled for the EU IAS Regulation.

Time Range

Temporal coverage is defined by species-specific 'date of entry into force'.

Freshness

The list is described as dynamic and subject to regular updates, but a specific last update date is not provided.

Geography

Spatial coverage is the European Union.