First Networking Meeting of the European Project LIFE ATIAS

The first Networking Meeting of the European Project " Addressing the Threat of Invasive Alien Species in North Greece, using Early Warning and Information systems for mammals" (LIFE ATIAS -LIFE18 NAT/GR/000430) was successfully held on Thursday 28/07/2022 in Thessaloniki. The aim of the LIFE ATIAS project is the development and implementation of an early detection and rapid eradication systems to prevent the spread of invasive alien species in Northern Greece.

The meeting was organized by Homeotech C.o., Partner of the project, while LIFE Atias invited the LIFE PRIMED project with lecturer C. Georgiadis Project Manager at Hellenic Society for Nature Conservation and IASON Project with lecturer Dr G. Lupu Coordinator at Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development.

Among others, Dr. I. Tsiripidis Associate Professor at the Department of Biology of AUTH, Dr. G. Fotiadis Assistant Professor at the Agricultural University of Athens, o Dr V. Tsiaousi Coordinator of the National Lake Monitoring Network at Greek Biotope Wetland Center, V. Chrisopolitou Biologist at Greek Biotope Wetland Center and I. Isaac from the Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace, as well as representatives of the rest of the project partners.

Specifically, issues related to the impacts of invasive - alien species invasion in an ecosystem and possible solutions were developed. Finally, emphasis was placed on the importance of biodiversity and how it is affected by invasive species in the study areas of the invited projects.

This was followed by a very interesting and constructive discussion, with the participants exchanging views and proposals on this issue, aiming at networking with a common focus on tackling invasive species.