At the Black Sea CMA Annual Stakeholder Conference 2025 in Constanța, Romania, several initiatives were recognised for advancing regional cooperation and innovation to protect ecosystems, biodiversity and local communities. Among them, IASON+ project “Invasive Alien Species Observatory and Network Development for the Assessment of Climate Change Impacts and Contextual Ecosystem Services Evaluation in Black Sea Deltaic Protected Areas” was distinguished as an environmental monitoring action supporting ecosystem resilience and climate change adaptation across the Black Sea region.
The IASON+ solution
IASON+ focuses on establishing joint monitoring of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and assessing their impacts on Ecosystem Services (ES) in protected deltaic areas in Romania, Ukraine, Greece, Türkiye and Georgia. Through shared methodologies and coordinated fieldwork, IASON+ generates comparable data that support evidence‑based climate adaptation. It aims to harmonise monitoring and risk assessment procedures, enhance long‑term collaboration through innovative digital tools, and involve a wide range of stakeholders to co‑create and apply monitoring results. These combined efforts reinforce regional preparedness for IAS‑related risks and strengthen the scientific foundations needed to manage ecosystem pressures in a changing climate.
Challenges that inspired IASON+
One of the central challenges addressed by IASON+ is the need to evaluate the Invasive Alien Species (IAS), which are a major driver of biodiversity degradation across the Black Sea. Understanding their impacts requires analytical approaches capable of tracking changes in species distribution, ecosystem interactions, and long‑term ecological responses. At the same time, IASON+ focuses on evaluating Ecosystem Services (ES), which provide a range of benefits to the Black Sea region: food and water, flood and disease regulation, nutrient cycling, and cultural heritage and recreation. Many of these benefits are currently at risk due to ongoing destruction and degradation. In addition, competing land‑use demands and climate effects are also simultaneously pressuring the region. Strengthened science‑policy interfaces, integrated land‑use planning, and climate adaptation are essential to sustain ES and support effective management strategies.
Focusing on five delta areas, the Danube Delta (Romania/Ukraine), Nestos Delta & Lake Vistonida (Greece), Kızılırmak Delta (Türkiye) and Chorokhi Delta & Kolkheti National Park (Georgia), IASON+ contributes to a clearer understanding of ecosystem trends and provides a scientific basis for coordinated regional policies on IAS and ES under changing climatic conditions.
What makes IASON+ innovative and unique
IASON+ stands out for its integrated approach, combining IAS monitoring, ES assessment and climate risk evaluation within a single operational framework. This enables more comprehensive insights into ecosystem change than traditional single‑focus monitoring programmes. IASON+ promotes the use of advanced modelling and analytical tools, supports consistent data exchange among partner countries, and strengthens regional research capacity. By aligning with the environmental objectives of the CMA, IASON+ enhances the region’s ability to plan for sustainable and resilient blue‑economy development.
Who joined forces to make it happen?
IASON+ unites the efforts of 6 Project Partners from 5 Black Sea countries: The Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development and Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority from Romania, Institute of Marine Biology from Ukraine, Democritus University of Thrace from Greece, Karadeniz Technical University-Marine Science Faculty from Türkiye, and International Business and Economic Development Center from Georgia. Stakeholders involved as dialogue partners and beneficiaries include local and regional authorities, national administrations, NGOs, higher education and research bodies, education and training centres, cross‑border entities and the general public.
The implementation of IASON+
The European Union has acknowledged the serious risks that invasive alien species pose to its ecosystems. To tackle this issue, the EU introduced the Invasive Alien Species Regulation (Regulation (EU) 1143/2014), which sets out rules to prevent, reduce, and manage the negative impacts of these species on biodiversity, ecosystems, and human well-being. In the Danube Region, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) specifically addresses invasive alien species as part of Priority Area 6. This area is dedicated to protecting biodiversity, landscapes, and the quality of air and soils, with a strong emphasis on preventing the spread and impact of invasive species in the region.
In line with these regulatory and strategic actions, IASON+ prioritises coordinated cross‑border action to prevent and manage IAS. IASON+ enhances cooperation among partner countries, strengthens early detection and rapid response mechanisms, and supports the development of shared methodologies for risk assessment. Alongside scientific monitoring, the initiative promotes awareness among policymakers, practitioners and the public, helping to integrate IAS considerations into national and regional policies. Through these actions, IASON+ contributes to preserving biodiversity, reducing environmental risks and improving climate resilience across the Black Sea and Danube regions.
Contribution to a sustainable and resilient Black Sea and the CMA goals
IASON+ is supporting the priorities of the CMA by advancing coordinated environmental protection across the Black Sea, it contributes to integrated coastal and marine planning by embedding IAS concerns into wider management frameworks and strengthens scientific research and monitoring practices through transnational data collection and sharing. Furthermore, it enhances the region’s capacity to manage ecological pressures by engaging stakeholders through training, information exchange and awareness‑raising activities. In doing so, IASON+ reinforces cooperation among Black Sea countries and aligns with EU efforts to safeguard marine and coastal ecosystems.
Next steps and replicability
To maximise the impact and transferability of its outputs, IASON+ is developing a comprehensive communication and dissemination framework to ensure stakeholders can access and apply project findings. User‑friendly documentation, guidelines and digital tools are being prepared to support the adoption of methodologies in other regions. Training activities will equip local authorities, researchers and practitioners with the skills needed to use the project’s tools effectively. The consortium is also building partnerships with organisations facing similar challenges, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and experience beyond the project area. Open access to key tools and materials will further facilitate reuse, while ongoing monitoring of uptake and feedback will help refine resources and enhance long‑term applicability across the Black Sea region and beyond.