APPROACHES TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT OF CITIZENS IN THE SCIENCE OF INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES IN BULGARIA

Invasive alien species (IAS) threaten or adversely affect biodiversity and ecosystem services and in addition cause significant economic losses. It is widely accepted that the prevention of the introduction of alien species is considerably more cost-effective than measures taken following their establishment in a new location. The good awareness of the general public about the negative impact and the management options for IAS is crucial for the prevention of their introduction and spread. The COST Action CA 17122 ‘Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science’ (Alien CSI), which started in 2018, has addressed multidisciplinary research questions in relation to developing and implementing citizen science, advancing scientific understanding of alien species dynamics while informing decision-making. To facilitate the implementation of this COST Action in Bulgaria, two projects supported by the National Science Fund of Bulgaria have been launched in 2019.This article presents information about different approaches for IAS awareness raising and engaging of different stakeholders and the general public with science related to IAS implemented recently in the framework of different IAS projects in Bulgaria. Among them, we present the ‘Green Academy’, an awareness raising initiative of the University of Forestry for sustainable use of biological resources; the campaigns of the IBER-BAS for promoting and demonstration of the smartphone application ‘Invasive Alien Species Europe’ among different stakeholder groups; IAS questionnaire surveys. publication of IAS awareness raising materials; preparation of IAS exhibition; organisation of IAS trainings, scientific forums, and networking.The projects and initiatives focusing on IAS conducted during the last five years in Bulgaria contributed to an establishment of a core group of IAS experts in Bulgaria dedicated to the study of IAS, as well as to the implementation of IAS awareness raising, citizen science and networking activities among a wide range of stakeholders (scientists, teachers, decision-makers, managers, students, and the general public). Our results have shown that despite the efforts of scientists most of the non-professionals are still not aware of the IAS negative impact, pathways of introduction, as well as the risk posed by trade and keeping of exotic plants and pets, and their intentional or unintentional release into the environment. A national IAS campaign is needed for changing of the public attitude towards IAS, in order to prevent their introduction and spread in Bulgaria. Local authorities can play a key role in helping to address the risks associated with biological invasions and can contribute to IAS awareness raising among decision-makers and citizens.