preCOLONISE arises from the need for a common methodological approach to the problem of biodiversity and ecosystem services loss, as a result of plant invasions in disturbed habitats in the Atlantic Area. In line with the objective 4.1 (improving the Protection of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) in Priority Axis 4 (Biodiversity, Natural and Cultural assets) of the Atlantic Area Programme, preCOLONISE aims at:
1) developing a common tool for the prediction of invasion potential and the diagnosis of the invasion degree in key sites of the Natura 2000 Network.
2) establishing a monitoring network around the habitats at risk
3) assign management priorities concerning those sites already invaded.
4) implement management operations. The amelioration of the status of native plant populations or the active re-introduction of native plants (habitats at risk or invaded, respectively) will be essential to prevent alien species to (p)reCOLONISE the targeted habitats.
In short, (p)reCOLONISE aims at actively contributing to achieve the Biodiversity goals of the Horizon 2020 agenda, by targeting a major threat to the conservation of key habitats in the Atlantic Area.