AlienSMART - Sistema WebSIG de apoio à decisão para suportar o relato e gestão de espécies exóticas invasoras

The overarching objective of AlienSMART is to enhance reporting and management mechanisms for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) through the development of an innovative, collaborative and pioneer WebGIS-Decision-Support system. The project will apply cutting-edge technologies for IAS detection, refine frameworks of risk prioritisation and modelling, and foster the collaboration and knowledge exchange between academia, government, industry and civil society. AlienSMART is based upon the strategic actions for integrated governance recommended in the recently published “IPBES Assessment on IAS and their Control” and will promote coordinated action across scales. By adopting this holistic approach, AlienSMART seeks to establish a strategy to achieve rapid, transformative and coordinated progress in preventing and managing IAS, contributing to the promotion of secure, resilient and productive ecosystems. AlienSMART is founded on three innovation pillars: IP1)Technologies for detection, IP2)Support for reporting and dissemination and IP3)Socio-political action. Each pillar of AlienSMART contributes to the overarching aim of maximising synergies and harmonizing approaches across various sectors to reduce the pressure of IAS in the terrestrial realm. Each pillar comprises an innovation area (IA) detailed below: IA1:Novel methods for detection of IAS in terrestrial ecosystems: Existing approaches for the detection and surveillance of IAS are predominantly ad hoc and reactive, often leading to delays that impede effective and timely management. The speed at which data is mobilized for decision-making is crucial but often falls short, highlighting the need for more agile and integrated workflows. There are many emerging technologies for the detection and monitoring of biodiversity. Still, most are not yet at the required technical readiness level for widespread deployment. In AlienSMART we will leverage diverse data sources (e.g., remote sensing, citizen science) and analyze them using innovative approaches (e.g., deep learning) to support the detection of invasive alien plants, exploring its potential for report and management. IA2:Co-development of AlienSMART WebGIS-Decision-Support system and its dissemination to the people and institutions who need them: AlienSMART will partner with diverse stakeholders to capture data and share knowledge for informed decision-making, in line with the recent IPBES IAS Assessment recommendations. The AlienSMART outcomes will support the mandatory EU national report for IAS (required every 5 years) as well as local management of specific IAS in a robust and informed way. IA3:Socio-political action: In AlienSMART we will use a pilot living lab (Serra da Aboboreira Regional Protected Landscape) as an innovative methodology for co-creation, product testing, and understanding both national and local socio-economic landscapes. The living lab is a user-centered, open-innovation environment, operating within a specific geographic area. It is designed to integrate user communities into the research and innovation process, enabling active contribution to developing and testing innovative ideas and technologies. Founded in an integrated and participative governance approach, the living lab will allow addressing IAS considering societal interactions and impacts, harmonizing policy goals and enhancing public engagement.