Cultivated ornamental plants as a source of invasive alien species in Croatia

Invazivne se vrste odlikuju velikom sposobnošću širenja na nova područja te nepovoljno utječu na bioraznolikost, zdravlje ljudi i ekonomiju. Hortikultura predstavlja jedan od glavnih načina unosa invazivnih biljnih vrsta. Kako bi se takvi slučajevi smanjili, pokušava se educirati stanovništvo i upoznati s negativnim utjecajima uzgoja bez prethodne informiranosti. Anketiranjem stanovništva metodom intervjua sa strukturiranim upitnikom prikupljeni su podatci o razini osviještenosti stanovništva o problematici invazivnih vrsta i njihovim uzgojnim navikama. Od ukupno 107 ispitanika, 64% upoznato je s pojmom invazivnih vrsta te su čuli za bar jednu vrstu. Kao glavni izvor informacija zabilježeni su mediji (televizija, novine i tisak). Uzgojem biljaka u vrtu bavi se 36% ispitanika, a 23% na balkonu ili terasi. Utvrđivanje biljaka za prodaju u trgovačkim centrima provedeno je pregledom ponude u centrima, rasadnicima i sajmovima cvijeća. Prikupljeni podaci analizirani su s obzirom na status i potencijalnu invazivnost pretragom baza. Od ukupno 350 biljaka, 5 ih je invazivnih ili potencijalno invazivnih zabilježenih u prodaji u Hrvatskoj. Temeljem ovih rezultata očito je da još uvijek postoji veliki izazov u podizanju svijesti javnosti o problematici invazivnih vrsta i educiranju ljudi povezanih s hortikulturom.Invasive species are characterized by their great ability to spread to new areas and affect negatively to biodiversity, human health and economy. Horticulture is one of the main pathways of introduction of invasive plant species. The main goal is to educate the population and become aware of negative impacts of planting without prior information. To get insight into public awareness, a survey was conducted using direct interview with structured questionnaire. Out of the total of 107 respondents, 64% declared that they are aware of invasive plant species and have heard of at least one species. The main source of information was the media (television, newspapers and press). Less than 25% of the participants grow plants in their apartments, while the rest grows them in their gardens, balconies and terraces from where plants can escape and spread. Determination of plants for sale was conducted by reviewing offer in centers, nurseries and flower fairs. The status and potential invasiveness was determined by searching the databases. Out of a total of 347 plants, 5 are invasive or potentially invasive, and sold in Croatia. Based on these results, it is obvious that there is still a huge challenge in raising public awareness on invasive species in general and in educating people involved in horticulture