Ecological risk assessment of transgenic plant releases: an Austrian perspective

Some prerequisites for ecological risk assessment of transgenic plant relea ses are examined, with the aim of identifying research needs in Austria. Au stria harbours high habitat diversity, extending from the Alps to the Panno nian continental lowlands. The Pannonian flora includes potential cross-bre eding partners of several crops, which do not occur in western Europe. The border zones of major biogeographical regions contain high biodiversity, bo th in terms of species and habitat diversity; whether the genetic variabili ty of widespread plant species is also increased in these areas requires fu rther investigation. Especially in Alpine regions, transgenic grasses might eventually cause profound changes in community structure. Ecological risk assessment of transgenic crop releases should not only consider adverse eff ects on non-target species and ecosystems, but also their likely impact on the agroecosystems.