Joint ESENIAS and DIAS Scientific Conference 2023 and

12^th ESENIAS Workshop

Globalisation and invasive alien species in the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions – management challenges and regional cooperation

11–14 October 2023

Varna, Bulgaria

Organised by:

Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria (IBER-BAS)

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Forestry, Bulgaria

East and South European Network for Invasive Alien Species (ESENIAS)

Danube Region Invasive Alien Species Network (DIAS)

Institute of Oceanology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria (IO-BAS)

International Association for Danube Research (IAD)

SuEkos, Türkiye

Supported by:

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS)

National Science Fund of Bulgaria

Project No. КП-06-МНФ/34/25.08.2023

Globalisation, in the context of biological invasions, is the increased movement of species, both intentional and unintentional, around the world. This happens through different vectors and pathways related to trade, tourism, transport, including shipping, corridors, etc. Introduction and establishment of the invasive alien species (IAS) is one of the most significant threats to biological diversity, in addition to their adverse ecological, social and economic impact. There are several instruments developed and applied to manage introduction pathways and to mitigate the impact of already established and widespread IAS at global, EU, regional and national levels, e.g. Convention on Biological Diversity, Ballast Water Management Convention, EU Regulation 1143/2014 on IAS, and EU Strategy for the Danube Region. However, managing IAS, especially in coastal and marine environments, poses many challenges, such as early detection of their presence, assessment of their impact, selection and application of effective measures.

One of the regions most affected by IAS is the Mediterranean Sea. According to recent publications (Katsanevakis et al. 2016, Costello et al. 2021, Zenetos et al. 2022, Tsirintanis et al. 2022), it has the highest number of alien species globally – over 1000 marine alien species introduced, more than 750 with established populations and more than 75 IAS with significant adverse effects on native biodiversity, ecosystem services and human health. The number of alien species in the Black Sea Region is also comparatively high, e.g. the marine alien species reaching 156 in Ukraine, 74 in Bulgaria, and 54 in Romanian part (Skolka M. 2023). Moreover, the rate of introduction and establishment of alien species in those seas and associated regions (freshwater and terrestrial environments) is accelerating.

Networking and regional cooperation in different scales is crucial for the management of IAS and can facilitate the implementation of existing IAS instruments in order to protect biodiversity and ecosystems.

This conference is the fifth one organised jointly in frames of the networks ESENIAS and DIAS, focusing on the topic: ‘Globalisation and invasive alien species in the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions – management challenges and regional cooperation’. It will again highlight the importance of regional cooperation for finding innovative solutions to IAS issues.

The conference aims at:

• Update on current ESENIAS and DIAS project activities and outcomes
• Exchange of information on other IAS related initiatives carried out in the region, such as national and local monitoring programmes, risk assessments, pathway analyses and action plans, control and eradication projects, management plans and national strategies, citizen science activities and responsibilities, data planning and management
• Discuss and propose innovative approaches and solutions to implementation of IAS research and management strategies at regional level
• Enhance cooperation and networking among scientists in the ESENIAS and DIAS regions and with other networks, organisations and projects in order to build capacity and raise awareness on IAS.

Scientific Topics

1. Invasive alien species traits and trends – invasive alien species introduction and spread, biological and ecological traits; characteristics of recipient environment; invasive alien species and climate change; viruses, bacteria and other small organisms as IAS
2. Vectors and pathways for invasive alien species introductions and spread – analysis, prioritisation, action plans
3. The Danube River as invasive alien species corridor– priority species for the Danube Region, impact on threatened species, specificity of biological invasions in the Lower, Middle and Upper Danube River sections
4. Invasive alien species impact – impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services, impact on human health, safety and the economy; pests and pathogens; adverse impact on protected areas, endangered species and habitats
5. Invasive alien species prevention and management – early detection and rapid eradication, surveillance systems; risk assessment and horizon scanning; control and containment measures; restoration of damaged ecosystems; education, citizen science, strategies, policy and legislation
6. Management and sharing of IAS data – IAS networks and information systems, databases, data planning and management
7. Other topics – general aspects related to the quality of the aquatic and terrestrial environements and associated biological communities, which may influence the introduction and spread of IAS, as well as the application of prevention and management measures.

Important Information

The official language of the conference will be English.

Authors are invited to submit their contributions related to one or more of the scientific topics given above. The scientific presentations will be oral or poster. Each presentation should indicate the most appropriate topic.

All contributions will be peer reviewed by the Scientific Committee members. The reviewers reserve the right to change the scientific topic and form of presentation (oral/poster) in case of thematic consideration or timing.

Poster format should be Portrait with a size of 100/70 cm

Publications

Abstracts accepted for presentation will be published in a Book of Abstracts.

The authors are invited to submit full papers for publication in the following journals, according to the requirements of the corresponding journal:

• Phytologia Balcanica (http://www.bio.bas.bg/~phytolbalcan)
• Transylvanian Review of Systematical and Ecological Research (http://stiinte.ulbsibiu.ro/trser/): Full paper submission to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Registration Fee is Not Required!

Key Dates

Abstract submission:      Extended until 8th September 2023

Registration:                    Extended until 8th September 2023

Registration

Please download the Registration form here >>>

Abstract submission

Please download the Abstract form here >>>

Please download the Conference announcement here >>>

Please download the Preliminary programme here >>>

Please download the Conference programme here >>>

Please download the Book of abstracts here >>>

Conference Venue

Cherno More Hotel

33 Slivnitsa Blvd.

www.chernomorebg.com/en/

Accommodation

Cherno More Hotel

33 Slivnitsa Blvd., Varna

www.chernomorebg.com/en/

Please make your room reservations directly at the hotel by using the provided promo code (Bonus code): ESENIAS

Varna Creativity House of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Chayka Resort, Journalist Station, Varna

https://bas-chg.com/

https://bas-chg.com/?page_id=545

https://visit.varna.bg/en/chayka.html

Please make your room reservations directly at the hotel:

Tel. +359 889 804757

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Other hotels/accommodations can be found on international booking platforms and national tourist information services.

Excursion

The excursion will be organised on 14th October 2023 and it will last a whole day. The participants will visit Aladzha Monastery (https://www.archaeo.museumvarna.com/en/other/2), the palace of Romanian Queen Marie (https://www.dvoreca.com/), and the Botanical Garden in Balchik Town. The price is 35 Euro and can be paid at registration.

Contacts:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For registration and submission of abstracts.