Issue 2 – Spring 2019
Welcome to the Spring 2019 edition!
If you have any suggestions for future topics to cover, email us at [email protected]
Find us at www.nonnativespecies.org
News
Species alerts: Asian hornet
As spring approaches we’re asking everyone to lookout for Asian hornet. Report any suspected sightings using the following:
Asian Hornet Watch app for iPhone
Asian Hornet Watch app for android
Online reporting form
[email protected].
We’ve updated the Asian hornet ID sheet and Alert poster. Download them below and contact us for free copies.
Alert poster for Asian hornet
ID sheet for Asian hornet
EU Exit
The Invasive Non-native Species (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 were approved in January after debates in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. These regulations do not change government policy on invasive non-native species. They will ensure that the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation will continue to function, as retained EU law, when the UK leaves the EU. Further detail is in the Explanatory Memorandum submitted to parliament.
Local Action Group Workshop
The annual GB NNSS Local Action Group Workshop took place at Preston Montford Field Centre on the 5th – 6th February.
Over 40 participants attended and gave updates on their work over the last year, took part in training and workshops to share knowledge and ideas, and celebrated ten years of the workshop!
Pathway work
Two working groups are currently developing pathway action plans for angling and boating, expected later this year.
New non-native species newsletter for Wales
The Wales Biodiversity Partnership Invasive Non-native Species Group has launched its first newsletter. Here you’ll find the latest news, hot topics, legislation and policy updates, partner projects and events relating to INNS in Wales. The first newsletter includes articles on controlling Asian hornets, the Stitch in Time project, and the Priority Species for Action in Wales list.
Communications
Awareness raising priorities for the next quarter (from March)
- Check Clean Dry
- Asian hornet
Key dates
May 13th – 17th: Invasive Species Week 2019
With the warm weather (!) drawing people outdoors, help us to spread the word to recreational water users to Check Clean Dry equipment and clothing after leaving the water to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species.
It’s even more important to do this when travelling abroad. Look out for posters at UK ports from the end of March, part of our border biosecurity campaign.
Visit the website for more information and materials, and contact us for hard copies.
If you haven’t already starting planning there’s still plenty of time to do so!
Each day we’ll be focusing on a different environment and some of the species that impact on it:
- Freshwater and riparian
- Urban
- Marine
- Woodland and bog
- Small islands
We’re developing materials to help you raise awareness, due out early March. In the meantime, find some inspiration for your own activities here and check out our new Twitter account at @InvasiveSp!
Let us know what you’re planning! Contact [email protected].
Be Plant Wise
The Be Plant Wise campaign is currently undergoing an update, stay tuned for more information.
Projects and research
Overseas Territories Biosecurity Project
Jill Key, NNSS Overseas Territories Project Manager
A horizon scanning workshop was held for Gibraltar from 21st to 24th January 2019, coordinated by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Climate Change, and the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens.
For further information on the OTs and the biosecurity project visit the website.
West Cornwall National Trust Invasive Species Project
Simon Hocking, National Trust
In West Cornwall the National Trust countryside team is controlling a wide range of invasive species at various coast and countryside sites to restore and protect a greater biodiversity as well as preventing encroachment onto neighbouring land. Without active control these invasive species have the potential to overwhelm the landscape and surrounding habitat.
The effects of climate change can facilitate the spread and establishment of many invasive species and can create new opportunities for species to become invasive. In West Cornwall due to our warmer climate and rare frosts, we find ourselves on the front line of the ever-evolving battle to control certain species that are simply too successful in outcompeting their neighbours. During the most recent cold snap in January 2019, parts of the South West were experiencing sub-zero temperatures while West Cornwall was a balmy 8 degrees plus. Certain species that are naturally controlled with frosts have as a result found their paradise with us. Changes in agricultural practices have meant that invasive species have increased their spread along the roadside verges in West Cornwall, with Winter Heliotrope, Montbretia, 3 cornered leek and Alexanders covering many miles of our roadside hedgerows and these quickly spread beyond the roadside onto surrounding land. West Cornwall is a landscape that has extensive mining history, this has helped some invasive species to establish as sites with mining activity can be practically challenging when managing invasive species.
A large part of our invasive species work is focused on horizon scanning. We are starting to map all the invasive species on our properties using GIS maps so that we can produce effective species management plans to ensure that we stop invasive species from becoming established on these sites. This mapping exercise is essential due to the large amount of land we look after and the need for repeat treatments annually at different times of the year, depending on the target species for the most effective treatments.
The National Trusts Land, Outdoors and Nature strategy plans to create/restore 25,000 ha Priority Habitats by 2025. Controlling invasive species is a key part of ensuring that these targets are reached nationally, as lag phase establishing invasive species would easily overshadow positive gains made in other areas when left unmanaged in the countryside environment.
Contact Simon for more information.
Linkages between riparian invasive plants, hydromorphology and salmonid fish in Scottish rivers
Alex Seeney, University of Stirling
For the past four years, I have been studying the impacts of riparian Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) on juvenile salmonid fish and freshwater and terrestrial invertebrates. Carried out at the University of Stirling, this PhD project funded by Scottish Natural Heritage aimed to quantify the effects of riparian invasive non-native plants (INNP) relative to local physicochemical variables. We used recent field survey data to quantify changes in the freshwater and terrestrial invertebrate communities of 24 low order streams in central Scotland.
Analyses indicated that whilst greater INNP cover reduced local freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity, their effects were generally subordinate to those of physicochemical variables, though there was evidence of a legacy effect of invasion that presents a constant pressure on freshwater macroinvertebrate communities. Similarly, greater INNP cover reduced terrestrial morphospecies diversity, but also reduced abundance and increased spatial heterogeneity through loss of species at the site scale. INNP cover was found to be the strongest predictor across all assessments of terrestrial invertebrate communities. Juvenile salmonids were observed to change their predatory selection of Ephemeroptera and Chironomidae at more heavily invaded sites, but broadly changed their feeding patterns in response to community and environmental stressors, indicating a lesser effect of riparian INNP invasions on salmonid populations.
Our research offers support for managing severe riparian INNP invasions in a bid to improve the quality of low order streams, but suggests that there is a scale of community responses which may provide guidance when planning INNP management strategies.
Read Alex’s first thesis chapter, published in Freshwater Biology.
Welsh art students increasing awareness of non-native species
Nick Sharp, Natural Resources Wales
As part of the Living Levels Landscape Partnership (LLLP) Heritage Lottery-Funded Project, 33 art students at Coleg Gwent, City of Newport Campus have been working since last September to produce B-movie posters and sculptures with the brief ‘Alien Invasion’ as a different take on Invasive Non-Native Species of relevance to the Gwent Levels.
The wonderfully detailed and striking art pieces will be showcased at several events in 2019 and will be available for the public to view at the Riverfront Theatre, Newport from Friday 15 to Wednesday 26 June 2019.
The Living Levels Partnership scheme, led by RSPB, aims to ensure a sustainable future for the unique Gwent Levels. The interconnected nature of the Levels’ drainage system leaves it particularly vulnerable to the colonisation and spread of invasive non-native species. One of 26 projects that make up the scheme, Defend the Levels from ‘Alien Invasion’ is being delivered by NRW and will improve awareness, recording and management of INNS to help protect this landscape.
Contact us
If you have any suggestions for future topics to cover, email us at [email protected]
Find us at www.nonnativespecies.org
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