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10/04/2006
Governments launch project to repel invaders
Government conservation experts have unveiled plans to repel invasive species of animals and plants from Ireland.
Invasive species posing a high threat to Ireland’s native wildlife is the major finding of a report 'Invasive Species in Ireland' published by the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and their counterparts in Dublin, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and a two-year joint project will start this month to address the issue.
Dr Michael Meharg of the Biodiversity Unit in EHS said: “Invasive species are recognised as one of the main threats to global biodiversity. Islands are particularly vulnerable and already we have a wide range of Ireland’s terrestrial, freshwater and marine species and habitats which are heavily impacted by non-native invasive species.
"Our report clearly identifies the scale of the problem and targets action at a number of species. The report and its key actions present a challenge to Government and many others throughout Ireland. I am pleased we are now embarking on a major all-Ireland project with our colleagues in National Parks and Wildlife Service to address these key actions.”
The report was prepared by experts at Quercus, Northern Ireland’s research centre for biodiversity at Queen’s University Belfast, who assess published information and the advice of experts on alien species both from inside and outside Ireland.
A number of key actions were proposed to address the threat to native plants and animals posed by invasive alien species through both preventing invasions and managing established problem species.
Actions include risk assessments and the preparation of contingency plans for species that are likely to invade Ireland.
The recommendations include the assessment of the ecological and economic impact of long-standing alien species and technology for their control should also be investigated.
Among the established invasive species already causing problems in Ireland are the European zebra mussel, Japanese knotweed, Giant hogweed, Common cord-grass, Rhododendron ponticum and the American grey squirrel.
More information may be obtained at http://www.habitas.org.uk/invasive
(SP)
Invasive species posing a high threat to Ireland’s native wildlife is the major finding of a report 'Invasive Species in Ireland' published by the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and their counterparts in Dublin, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and a two-year joint project will start this month to address the issue.
Dr Michael Meharg of the Biodiversity Unit in EHS said: “Invasive species are recognised as one of the main threats to global biodiversity. Islands are particularly vulnerable and already we have a wide range of Ireland’s terrestrial, freshwater and marine species and habitats which are heavily impacted by non-native invasive species.
"Our report clearly identifies the scale of the problem and targets action at a number of species. The report and its key actions present a challenge to Government and many others throughout Ireland. I am pleased we are now embarking on a major all-Ireland project with our colleagues in National Parks and Wildlife Service to address these key actions.”
The report was prepared by experts at Quercus, Northern Ireland’s research centre for biodiversity at Queen’s University Belfast, who assess published information and the advice of experts on alien species both from inside and outside Ireland.
A number of key actions were proposed to address the threat to native plants and animals posed by invasive alien species through both preventing invasions and managing established problem species.
Actions include risk assessments and the preparation of contingency plans for species that are likely to invade Ireland.
The recommendations include the assessment of the ecological and economic impact of long-standing alien species and technology for their control should also be investigated.
Among the established invasive species already causing problems in Ireland are the European zebra mussel, Japanese knotweed, Giant hogweed, Common cord-grass, Rhododendron ponticum and the American grey squirrel.
More information may be obtained at http://www.habitas.org.uk/invasive
(SP)
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