KORINA I

It is not only in Saxony-Anhalt that non-native plant species are spreading in nature reserves. They are referred to as invasive species because they have a negative impact on native habitats or species. Control measures often take place on a one-off basis and are carried out by specialists working on a voluntary basis. These important individual activities need to be networked in order to achieve lasting effects with control measures. The Invasive Neophytes in Protected Areas of Saxony-Anhalt Coordination Office at UfU e. V. (KORINA) set itself this task with the project “Early warning system and conception of measures against invasive neophytes in selected protected areas of Saxony-Anhalt”. From 2010 to 2015, neophyte management in protected areas in Saxony-Anhalt was coordinated, information on invasive neophytes was compiled and processed in an information system www.korina.info and neophytes were assessed in terms of their impact in a blacklist. The coordination office is dedicated to raising awareness of the effects of invasive neophytes and what can be done to combat them. The public and, above all, those responsible, e.g. allotment gardeners, landowners, but also farmers and employees of public authorities, were addressed. Citizens were involved in the recording of invasive plants. Since 2013, projects have also been carried out in schools. KORINA is the only institution working in this way in Germany. From October 2015 to December 2015, UfU e.v. continued to operate KORINA as part of a project funded by the state of Saxony-Anhalt.