Project LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus

The Public Institute of Krka National Park participates in the LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus project, funded through the LIFE Programme, as a project partner.

The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and the European Commission have signed an agreement for the LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus project, aimed at establishing effective measures for the control of the invasive tree species Ailanthus altissima. The total value of the project is HRK 19,4 million and it is co-funded by the European Union at a rate of 60%.

The project is funded through the LIFE Programme, the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental, nature conservation, and climate action. It is implemented by the Institute for Environmental and Nature protection of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development in cooperation with project partners: Public Institute of Krka National Park, Public Institute for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and Vrtlar d.o.o. The anticipated time frame for the project activities is four and a half years.

Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) is a species native to East Asia that has spread across the world starting from the 18th century due to its use as an ornamental plant, while today it is considered one of the most invasive plant species in Europe. This invasive species displaces native vegetation and reduces biodiversity, it is detrimental to crops, it causes allergic reactions in people, and destroys cultural monuments and other buildings due to its extremely strong root system. Due to its negative effect on biodiversity, the economy and human health, it is included in the list of invasive alien species of concern in the European Union. Widespread in Croatia, tree of heaven poses a major threat to protected habitats and species in the Mediterranean region.

The project aims to introduce measures for the control of the invasive tree of heaven species in the Mediterranean region in Croatia: in two Croatian ecological network areas (HR2000918 Wider area of the Krka National Park, and HR2001364 SEE part of the Pelješac Peninsula) and in cities with a historic urban core (Ston, Mali Ston, and Dubrovnik).

Improvement of the conservation status of Natura 2000 habitat types, preservation of cultural heritage, prevention of the further spread of the invasive alien species, and development of a national protocol are the main expected outcomes of the LIFE CONTRA Ailanthus project. In addition, the project also aims to enhance alien species management capacity and raise public awareness of the negative impact of invasive species at the national level.