Invasive non-native species

Friend or Foe?

Sometimes species which would not naturally occur here are accidentally or deliberately introduced to our environment for example Rhododendron ponitcum. Some introduced for commercial reasons, such as North American Signal Crayfish, occasionally escape and then cause problems in the wild.

There are a number of non-native species which are a threat to Scottish biodiversity and a variety of work is going on to help us deal with these. Six species have targeted action through Species Action Framework implementation plans but there is a range of other work also going on to control these and other species.

Putting up a fight!

For the North American Mink for example a major project in the Western Isles, the Hebridean Mink Project , has been working to eradicate this invasive species from the islands. Other work on this species is funded through the Species Action Framework

The Species Action Framework (SAF) has Implementation Plans the following six invasive non-native species:

• North American Mink
• North American Signal Crayfish
• New Zealand Pygmyweed
• Rhododendron ponticum and hybrids
• Wireweed
• Grey squirrel

Other things happening can be found by exploring the various links below

The Invasive non-native species framework strategy for Great Britain aims to minimise the threat of invasive non-native species by helping to prevent introductions through raising awareness of the risks and increasing understanding of the impacts; enabling better and early detection; enabling a rapid response to introductions before they become major problems; and developing longer-term control programmes

A Scottish Working Group on invasive non-native species was set up in 2006 to ensure effective policy co-ordination and practical implementation of the strategy framework in Scotland. More information on this can be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/InvasiveSpecies/ConsultationandResponse 

Other useful links

Further information on invasive non-native species and what's being done to deal with them can found via the following sources:

• Scottish Government    
• Plantlife 
• Defra    
• DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway