Invasive non-native species (INNS) can be devastating to biodiversity – the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services lists them as one of the main threats to biodiversity worldwide. INNS are also economically damaging, costing Britain and Europe an estimated £1.7 billion and €12 billion per year respectively.
UKCEH leads many key INNS initiatives across the UK, EU and globally, including database development, predicting new arrivals and surveillance and monitoring. The Great Britain Non-Native Species Information Portal, led by UKCEH, now holds information on more than 3,000 NNS. We also produce the Defra biodiversity indicator for INNS, reporting on 193 established INNS.
Case study: Zebra Mussels
The zebra mussel arrived in the UK around 200 years ago and is now thriving in our waterways. If zebra mussels get into water treatment works, they can clog up pipes causing considerable damage. They can also profoundly alter communities of plants and animals, water clarity, and the chemical makeup of water systems. We are mapping the distribution of this species and tracking its spread over time to inform biosecurity approaches.