Experts consider ways to tackle invasive species

Officials from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) have discussed the best ways of tackling invasive species.

The Third Annual Invasive Species in Ireland Forum, which was held at the Queens University Belfast on 7 April 2009, was attended by over 120 delegates from a wide range of organisations.

‘Non-Native Invasive Species’ are species from other countries that successfully establish themselves in our habitats and damage our ‘native species’ by out-competing with them for habitat or food, preying on them, altering their habitat and by introducing disease or parasites.

The theme of the third Annual Forum was ‘Celebrating Success, Learning From the Past’.

Forum attendees heard of many successful eradication and control projects which are being undertaken across Ireland.

They also heard about current and emerging issues and of up and coming research in Northern Ireland.

Graham Seymour, Director of Natural Heritage in the NIEA, said: “Non-native invasive plant and animal species are now widely recognised as the second biggest threat to biodiversity after habitat destruction”.

He also explained: “They can have serious negative impacts on not only our native species but also on habitats and even whole ecosystems resulting in serious damage to the environment and significant associated economic costs”.

Through raising awareness of non-native invasive species it is hoped to stop the spread of such species which are already established and prevent the introduction of any new non-native invasive species.

Notes to Editors:

1. Species that have been introduced to a place where they do not naturally occur are known as ‘non-native species’. Many of these live happily in the UK and Ireland without causing any problems but a few become what is called ‘invasive species’. These upset the balance of the ecosystem as they are commonly bigger, faster growing and more aggressive than the ‘native species’.
2. Commonly ‘invasive species’ have no natural predators to control their numbers. The ‘native species’ are often unable to compete and quickly the ‘invasive species’ takes over.
3. ‘Invasive species’ can alter ecological relationships among ‘native species’. They can affect the whole ecosystem function, economic value of ecosystems and human health.
4. Whilst the majority of introduced species pose neither economic nor ecological problems, a few species become invasive and damaging to their new habitat.
5. Invasive species can be spread in many ways. Introductions can be either accidental or intentional. Many invasive plant species have been spread through deliberate introductions as the species was perceived to have a value in agriculture or ornamental gardening. However, many have also been unintentional introductions, either through planting of impure seed mixes that contain the ‘invasive species’, or by hitching a ride on a vehicle or in cargo.
6. The NIEA and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Republic of Ireland, joined forces in May 2006 to jointly fund a project, by Envirocentre and Quercus, to identify ‘high-risk invasive species’ and the pathways which may allow these species to spread to Ireland.
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