Memorias de la RSEHN (segunda época)

Las especies exóticas invasoras (EEI) están consideradas universalmente como una de las mayores amenazas para la biodiversidad y el bienestar humano. La magnitud del problema ha llevado a la comunidad internacional a desarrollar unas directrices que necesitan ser adaptadas a las circunstancias de cada país. En España, pese a los progresos realizados (incremento en el número de investigaciones, acciones de gestión, nueva normativa, etc.), las iniciativas llevadas a cabo a menudo no refl ejan los actuales conocimientos científi cos sobre la dinámica del problema, ni responden a las necesidades de gestión y opciones de respuesta para abordarlo. El esfuerzo se ha centrado principalmente en la erradicación de EEI establecidas. Pero, la irreversibilidad de muchas invasiones pone en énfasis la importancia de trabajar en la prevención. La ausencia de un sistema nacional de información, la dispersión de competencias y la falta de coordinación entre administraciones constituyen otras lagunas importantes. Queda patente que una gestión efi caz del problema precisa: a) de un compromiso político serio y a largo plazo con el medio ambiente, con el conjunto de estamentos implicados y con la ciudadanía, b) de directrices claras y estructuradas de acuerdo con una estrategia que defi na funciones y responsabilidades, y c) de la dotación de recursos adecuados.

Invasive alien species are recognized as one of the greatest threats to native biodiversity and human welfare globally. The magnitude of this global and cross-cutting issue has led the international community to develop guidelines and tools to deal with it. These guidelines, conceived to be applied on a global and/or regional scale need to be tailored to individual country circumstances. Important steps forward have been carried out in Spain in the last decade. The number of researches and publications increased considerably as well as regional management initiatives and public awareness campaigns. New regulations dealing with invasive alien species have been enacted recently. However, despite these progresses, policy and management of invasive alien species often appears poor and inconsistent. Management actions undertaken by the different administrations often do not adequately refl ect current scientifi c knowledge on the dynamics of the problem, or fi t the needs of management and response options to address it. Management effort has been mainly made to eradicate the established invasive alien species. Nevertheless, in spite of some successful campaigns, the irreversibility of most invasions emphasizes the importance of prevention. Moreover, the lack of a national information system on invasive alien species and the dispersion of competences and scant coordination among different administrations are still unfi lled gaps that resulted in the implementation of measures that do not match a strategic vision of the problem. It is patently obvious that an effective management of invasive alien species in Spain still requires: a) strong and long-term commitment to the environment, involved stakeholders and citizens; b) clear and structured measures according to a strategy that establishes competences and responsibilities, and c) the provision of adequate resources.