Turning Policy into Action: The Alien Squirrel Emergency Team (ASET) as a Model for Rapid Response in Italy
Year: 2026
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Biological invasions require rapid responses, yet bureaucratic procedures frequently delay action. Although European and Italian regulations (EU Regulation 1143/2014; Legislative Decree 230/2017) mandate rapid eradication of Invasive Alien Species (IAS), a significant implementation gap persists. In Italy, the surveillance system is fragmented, and local authorities frequently lack the specialised expertise and operational capacity for immediate intervention. To bridge this gap, we established the Alien Squirrel Emergency Team (ASET), an expert-led task force designed to convert early warnings into field responses. ASET brings together researchers from the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research and several Italian universities. It was founded within the framework of the LIFE U-SAVEREDS project (LIFE13 BIO/IT/000204) and is focused on the management of alien sciurids. The team operates through a multi-channel monitoring network, integrating data from citizen science platforms, social media, and direct reports from private citizens and local institutions. It functions as an Early Warning mechanism, coupled with expert validation of each record to ensure accurate identification of target species such as Sciurus carolinensis , Callosciurus erythraeus , C. finlaysonii , and C. prevostii . Since 2018, ASET has handled 22 reports across 9 Italian regions using a flexible approach. A key component is the rapid coordination of on-site inspections following opportunistic sightings, as demonstrated by interventions targeting isolated individuals in several localities of northern Italy. Near the Slovenian border, ASET also conducted trained local operators, fostering the transfer of technical skills to regional staff. Beyond initial surveys, the team leverages existing infrastructures, for example, by collaborating with monitoring funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan in National Parks and cross-taxa projects like MonitAnt (Biodiversa+) in South Tyrol. These synergies optimise field efforts and maximise detection probability and also illustrates ASET’s capacity to track IAS occurrences over time. An initial report of the American red squirrel ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ) in 2020 was systematically followed up, ensuring that subsequent suspected sightings in the area were prioritised rather than treated as isolated events. Persistent monitoring prevents the loss of critical information during administrative turnovers and supports a long-term strategic understanding of invasion dynamics. Recognising that removal actions often encounter strong public and animal rights opposition, ASET builds on experience from LIFE U-SAVEREDS and the previous LIFE EC-SQUARE project (LIFE09 NAT/IT/000095), to provide support in developing effective communication strategies. By providing expertise on the human dimension of IAS management, the team assist local authorities in anticipating and navigating social conflicts. Moreover, ASET acts as an intermediary between local administrations and international funding opportunities. A recent example is the participation in the IUCN Rapid Response Fund (RRF) call, following the detection of a new C. prevostii nucleus. ASET informed the regional agency of this opportunity and facilitated connections with partners able to manage the application process. Finally, beyond emergency response, ASET contributes to long-term strategic objectives. In some regions, dedicated field technicians operate in close coordination with local institutions and maintain regular contact with ASET members, ensuring continuity between research and management. In southern Italy, the team is investigating the genetic identity of Callosciurus populations and leading the development of new LIFE project proposals. ASET also expanded its scope to international cooperation, for instance, through exchanges with French colleagues on the management of Callosciurus . Ultimately, this case study indicates that bridging the implementation gap requires more than technical expertise; it depends on continuity of information, strategic communication, and cross-sectoral coordination. By integrating these elements, the ASET model consolidates fragmented local efforts into a coherent national approach, providing a transferable framework for IAS management across the European Union.
Source: ARPHA Conference Abstracts
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7203482103