DAISIE aims to integrate information on current invasions across Europe through an online freely available database of alien species (www.europe-aliens. org, Shirley and Kark 2006). Overall, the DAISIE database includes 55 islands or countries in Europe (including European Russia), Israel and the Macaronesian islands (hereby referred to as Europe). Patterns of alien introductions, their impacts and management tools differ for birds vs. reptiles and amphibians in various ways. Birds are one of the best recorded groups and much better data exists on their introductions. Reptiles and amphibians have smaller numbers of recorded alien species, and information is less detailed in many cases. However, some of the issues concerning aliens of these groups in Europe are similar. For example, prevention seems to be the best strategy to reduce the long-term impacts and costs of dealing with most species. Also, both groups show increase in the number of introduction events during the 20th century, which could be related to rise in human immigration into Europe (Jeschke and Strayer 2006) and in the international trade, both legal and illegal during this period, leading to the deliberate and non-deliberate release of alien birds in the wild (Jenkins 1999). Here we provide information and discussion on each of the two groups and comparisons where relevant. Finally, we provide joint discussion on management options and on future trends.
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Kark, S., Solarz, W., Chiron, F., Clergeau, P., Shirley, S. (2009). Alien Birds, Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe. In: Handbook of Alien Species in Europe. Invading Nature - Springer Series in Invasion Ecology, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8280-1_8
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