Wildlife under threat from ‘hitchhikers’
Wildlife from red squirrels to earthworms and juniper trees are among those most at risk from invasive species, conservationists have warned.
Experts are calling for strict government plant import restrictions and want gardeners to “buy British” to avoid bringing in new invasive species that could threaten native nature.
Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of nature groups, has released a list of the ten native species it considers most at risk from invasive plants, animals and fungi through disease, competition or being eaten.
The list includes the red squirrel, which has suffered a 96 per cent drop in numbers since its grey cousin was introduced from America in the 19th century, and water voles, lost from 94 per cent of their range due to predation from
American mink escaped or released from fur farms.
It also includes the common earthworm, which is being preyed on by New Zealand flatworms introduced to the UK through imported potted plants, soils and compost, and the freshwater shrimp which is under threat from “killer shrimp”.
Native oysters, white-clawed crayfish, depressed river mussels and even Manx shearwaters – whose populations are threatened by brown and black rats taking eggs and attacking chicks on their island homes – are also on the list of those most at risk.
Juniper, which is one of the UK’S rarest trees and a key ingredient in gin, is threatened by the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora austrocedri, while ash trees are being hit by ash dieback caused by a non-native fungus.
Both are thought to have arrived through the plant trade. Conservationists
warned horticulture is a key route for importing some nonnative species, including fungi, flatworms, ants and slugs, and tree diseases on soil and plants.
A host of species are already established in the UK via plant or soil imports and doing harm, including Spanish slugs which are voracious eaters of garden plants, crops and wildflowers. They are too slimy for hedgehogs and birds to eat, and resistant to poisons, the experts said.
Red lily beetles, harlequin
ladybirds and oak processionary moths are also causing damage, while more species, such as emerald ash borer beetles, twoleaf water milfoil plants and Asian hornets, are an imminent threat.
Dr Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “Invasive species are one of the top threats to wildlife. They’re also bad for business, affecting fishing, farming and leisure industries alike.
“Prevention is better than cure so it’s important to stop
further invasive species before they gain a foothold.
“Improvedbiosecuritymeasures are vital to prevent harmful species from hitching a hidden lift into the country in plants, trees and soil.”
From next month, all trees funded under government tree-planting schemes will need to meet new biosecurity requirements to help tackle the threat but the conservation groups want ministers to go further.