What was the challenge/ problem addressed?

Dangerous invasive plant and animal species threaten Latvia’s natural diversity, as well impacting the farming process. About a third of the plant and animal species found in nature in Latvia are foreign species. About 10% of alien species are dangerous – invasive species that threaten the diversity of nature in Latvia: they spread aggressively and outcompete local species. Invasive species can not only cause economic damage, cause changes in natural ecosystems, but, for certain species, also damage human health. In Latvia, invasive plants and animals are becoming an increasing problem, as they significantly affect the diversity of nature.

How did you solve the problem?

In this project we created platform – “The Invasive Species Manager”. The Invasive Species Manager offers to familiarize yourself with almost 50 invasive species. These are alien species that are included in the EU regulation, as well as those that scientists have recognized as invasive or potentially invasive in Latvia – fast-growing, rapidly multiplying and spreading, threatening local species and biological diversity. The Invasive Species Manager provides an opportunity to get to know the invasive plant and animal species in Latvia with the help of illustrations and concise descriptions and to provide reports on their distribution.

What is innovative in your practical case?

Innovation is ongoing process and one of this project goal is to find innovation, new practice of how to limit (dont let them spreading around) this kind of invasive species in Latvia nature. Part of project was to get a group of peoples, mostly students trying to find new ways to limit this kind of species.

What are the success factors in solving the problem?

Main success factor is working together. Good cooperation between all interested parties – universities, students, scientists, advisers and also farmers themself.

Unexpected fails, if any

Some of the invasive species are very hard to limit and there for its almost impossible to find new ways to do it.

Lessons learned

Some of the invasive species is a problem also in other countries with similar climate and nature, so its very important to look around and maybe find some answers that are already there. Even if the factors and results are not absolutely the same, there still might be some very useful information to use.

What role does the advisor or advisory service play within the practical case

Advisers played very important role in this. They were part of all process from coordinating to being part of work groups and also following the innovation process and results of it.

Can your approach be transferred and/or adapted for other innovation challenges and regions?

Yes.

For sharing the experience on the good practice, please contact Edgars Dzelme (email: edgars.dzelme@llkc.lv, phone: +371 20060859)

https://latvianature.daba.gov.lv/invazivo-sugu-parvaldnieks/