Eradication of the neophyte Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) was a successful joint project of two bordering national parks Thayatal (AT) and Podyjí (CZ) that led to a significant decrease of Himalayan balsam plants in the river valley and return of native plants. The most important success factors were the common approach to river valley management, access to both river banks by Czech staff, change in management of river valley meadows, and ongoing joint monitoring in the river valley.

The invasion and proliferation of lionfish threatens biodiversity in the Wider Caribbean Region. A strategic plan for their control provides a framework to address the invasion with a concerted approach across political and geographical boundaries. Cooperation is promoted among governments, reef-reliant industries, civil society and academia. A transboundary research and monitoring agenda is coupled with local action plans, information campaigns and the adaptation of policy guidelines.

The Indo-Pacific lionfish is a major threat to Caribbean reefs. Blue Ventures is pioneering efforts to build Belize’s lionfish fishery, creating an economic incentive for the sustained removal of this invasive species while providing an alternative target for fishers and promoting associated cottage industries, reducing dependency on traditionally targeted fisheries. This effort is supported by an integrated lionfish control strategy, which helps to avoid unintended outcomes, and also details alternative targeted removal methods for sites where fishing is not permitted or practical.

Montecristo Island, nature reserve in the Tuscan Archipelago NP, hosts a relevant population of breeding Yelkouan Shearwaters, Puffinus yelkouan. The main local threat that had been identified was rat predation. Black rats, Rattus rattus, were also believed to affect negatively rejuvenation of plant communities in particular the holm oak stands. Project Life08 NAT/IT/353 Montecristo 2010 included a large action of rat eradication carried out in winter 2011/12. Activities started in 2010 with preliminary tests and protocol definition for toxic bait amounts and delivery. The latter rodenticide distribution took place from helicopter, except in a 25 ha area treated by bait stations. In the following breeding season, 2-6 months after bait delivery, positive consequences were already observed, such as a shearwater maximum productivity recorded for 95% of pairs, and from next autumn no impact was observed on oak seeds. After prolonged monitoring, the island was declared rat free in 2016.

The Indo-Pacific lionfish is a major threat to Caribbean reefs. Blue Ventures is pioneering efforts to build Belize’s lionfish fishery, creating an economic incentive for the sustained removal of this invasive species while providing an alternative target for fishers and promoting associated cottage industries, reducing dependency on traditionally targeted fisheries. This effort is supported by an integrated lionfish control strategy, which helps to avoid unintended outcomes, and also details alternative targeted removal methods for sites where fishing is not permitted or practical.

Montecristo Island, nature reserve in the Tuscan Archipelago NP, hosts a relevant population of breeding Yelkouan Shearwaters, Puffinus yelkouan. The main local threat that had been identified was rat predation. Black rats, Rattus rattus, were also believed to affect negatively rejuvenation of plant communities in particular the holm oak stands. Project Life08 NAT/IT/353 Montecristo 2010 included a large action of rat eradication carried out in winter 2011/12. Activities started in 2010 with preliminary tests and protocol definition for toxic bait amounts and delivery. The latter rodenticide distribution took place from helicopter, except in a 25 ha area treated by bait stations. In the following breeding season, 2-6 months after bait delivery, positive consequences were already observed, such as a shearwater maximum productivity recorded for 95% of pairs, and from next autumn no impact was observed on oak seeds. After prolonged monitoring, the island was declared rat free in 2016.