Invasive non-native plant species, sometimes also referred to as ‘invasive alien species’, is part of plant biosecurity and falls within the remit of the LI Biosecurity Group.
The topic of invasive non-native species is emotive, as demonstrated by the terms used. It is often specifically associated as an issue with non-natives, whereas the actual problem is ultra-competitiveness in inappropriate locations, regardless of whether the plant is ‘native’ or if the location is a nature reserve or garden. Hence, the LI Biosecurity Group is adopting the broader ‘ultra-competitive’ plants approach.
The Group is preparing data sheets for specific ultra-competitive plants, starting with Ailanthus. We would welcome other suggestions for the data sheets; if anyone would like to suggest a plant, or prepare a data sheet on their particular favourite troublesome plant, please contact technical@landscapeinstitute.org
Data sheets
- LI Ultra-competitive Plant Species Data Sheet No 1: Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven) | August 2017
- LI Ultra-competitive Plant Species Data Sheet No 2: Cotoneaster | January 2018
Other resources
GB Non Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) website provides a wealth of information www.nonnativespecies.org/home/index.cfm. Their role is explained at http://www.nonnativespecies.org/index.cfm?sectionid=46.
Information on the European Commission List of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern and associate FAQ document for UK stakeholders is available at http://www.nonnativespecies.org/index.cfm?sectionid=7.
The EC legislation: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/index_en.htm
Great Britain Invasive Non-native Species Strategy Aug 2015 UK Govt: available with implementation plan from http://www.nonnativespecies.org/index.cfm?sectionid=55
Invasive Non-native Species and Wildlife Disease by Joint Nature Conservation Committee http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5150
IPPC Seminar on Invasive Alien Species: Trends and Patterns of Invasion, Global Impacts, and Possible responses, 29 September 2015: video and presentation available https://www.ippc.int/en/news/the-ippc-seminar-on-invasive-alien-species-trends-and-patterns-of-invasion-global-impacts-and-possible-responses/
RHS provides succinct, informative and comprehensive information, including the programme for banning the sale of the plants of Union Concern: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=530
http://www.cabi.org/isc/ database compendium of international invasive species, their history, distribution, impact management, (e.g. http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/31580 skunk cabbage)
http://www.planttracker.org.uk/ app to help track down invasive non-native plant species which are a threat to native wildlife in the UK. – great maps of invasions!
Wildlife and Countryside Link of UK voluntary organisations http://www.wcl.org.uk/ has a working group on invasives https://www.wcl.org.uk/invasive.asp and news items e.g. http://www.wcl.org.uk/uk-adopts-eu-legislation-to-tackle-invasive-species.asp
Water Framework Directive (wfd) UK TAG, alien species: various useful documents: http://www.wfduk.org/tagged/alien-species
Invasive Non Native Species Horticultural Code of Practice www.nonnativespecies.org//index.cfm?pageid=299
Plantlife website includes useful downloads on invasive non-native species http://www.plantlife.org.uk/our_work/campaigns/inns/
Training courses/providers: http://www.nonnativespecies.org/index.cfm?sectionid=125
e-learning modules on invasive non-native species, introduction and freshwater plants: http://insight-learning.co.uk/portal.htm
Wales
The NNSS website covers Wales and Scotland as do many of the others above.
http://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/Invasive-Non-Native-Group
Scotland
The NNSS website covers Wales and Scotland as do many of the others above.
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/InvasiveSpecies
https://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/biodiversity/invasive-non-native-species/
http://www.invasivespeciesscotland.org.uk/
http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/nonnative-species/
http://www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/duty/do-it/building/invasive/
Northern Ireland
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/invasive-plants
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/invasive-alien-species#skip-link
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/invasive-alien-species-strategy-northern-ireland