Our network resources
What is the Invasive Alien Species Resource Centre?
The French IUCN Committee and the French Biodiversity Agency (Office français de la biodiversité since 2020) have set up an IAS Resource Centre. Capitalising on the achievements and expertise of the IBMA WG, it targets all species of flora and fauna in marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. The Resource Centre covers mainland France and all the French overseas collectivities and is aimed at all those involved in the subject, with priority given to professionals and biodiversity managers.
The Resource Centre provides practical support and helps to improve the effectiveness of actions against invasive alien species. In particular, it develops methods, provides training, capitalises on knowledge and disseminates know-how and best practice for all the players involved: managers of natural areas, associations, researchers, local authorities, businesses, public establishments and government departments in particular.
A tool developed by the Resource Centre, the website offers general information on the subject, regular local, national and international news updates, as well as numerous regulatory, technical and scientific resources.
A large number of players are mobilising to organise surveillance, assess impacts, improve knowledge, define strategies and implement prevention and management actions on the ground. Developing skills and supporting stakeholders requires a considerable effort in terms of making available information, methodologies, decision-making and management tools, management experience and best practices.
See the map of New Aquitaine tab of the 9 resources identified, including Bees For Life
Who are the steering bodies of the Invasive Alien Species Resource Centre?
The steering committee is made up of theOFB (French Office for Biodiversity) and the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature in France), which monitors, advises and prioritises the activities of the resource centre. It defines the multi-annual action programme to be implemented.
What is the OFB?
French Biodiversity Agency (French Office for Biodiversity since 2020) The French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) is a public body dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity. One of its priorities is to provide an urgent response to the challenges of preserving living things.
Created on 1 January 2020 by law no. 2019-773 of 24 July 2019, the French Biodiversity Office is under the supervision of the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Solidarity and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
The OFB brings together staff from the French Biodiversity Agency (AFB) and the National Hunting and Wildlife Office (ONCFS). Bringing these two establishments together in the fight to protect nature means that we can pool our expertise on aquatic, terrestrial and marine environments and present a united front against the threats to biodiversity in France. Bringing together these two entities, whose staff are based all over France and in the French Overseas Territories, will also ensure that they are firmly rooted in the regions so that they can take action at a local level.
This new public establishment is responsible for 5 complementary missions:
- knowledge, research and expertise on species, environments and their uses
- environmental policing and wildlife health policing
- supporting the implementation of public policies
- management and support for managers of natural areas
- supporting stakeholders and mobilising society.
What is IUCN?
The French Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature currently brings together 2 ministries, 8 public bodies, 42 non-governmental organisations and a network of around 250 experts in thematic commissions and working groups.
Invasive alien species are recognised as the third cause of global biodiversity loss. According to the latest estimates in the IUCN Red List, they pose a threat to almost a third of threatened terrestrial species and are implicated in half of all known extinctions.
The French IUCN Committee has been heavily involved in this issue for several years. It is leading a specific initiative on invasive alien species in the French overseas territories and is co-piloting the Resource Centre with the French Biodiversity Office.
Invasive alien species. The main activities implemented concern :
- supporting policies and action strategies on invasive alien species;
- networking stakeholders
- promoting and disseminating good management practices;
- knowledge production;
- disseminating information and making it available;
- training and awareness-raising.
