This week is ‘Invasive Non-Native Species Week’ which aims to raise awareness of invasive non-native species (INNS) and how we can all make a difference in helping to prevent their spread. Discover more about the challenges our native wildlife faces from invasive non-native species, what RSPB Scotland is doing to help and how you can make a difference.
What are invasive non-native species?
Invasive non-native species are animals or plants which have been either accidentally or deliberately moved into places where they would not naturally be, causing negative impacts on the environment and/or society and economy.
Why is this a problem?
Our environment has natural barriers which stop species from moving freely across different environments like oceans, mountains and deserts. As a result, species adapt to their local conditions, including through their interactions with other species they share their environment with.
When we move animals or plants around into different environments, there can be negative impacts for existing wildlife in those places which have not developed for survival in the face of potential new competitors, predators or diseases.
Invasive non-native species are one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss globally and a significant pressure on Scottish nature.
What is RSPB Scotland doing?
We’re involved in projects working across Scotland to prevent, reduce or remove the threat of invasive non-native species.
Biosecurity for Scotland
The best way to avoid harm from invasive non-native species is to prevent them becoming established. Biosecurity for Scotland brings together organisations, island communities and businesses to safeguard Scotland’s seabird islands.
Scotland has internationally important seabird populations – and they are in trouble. To ensure they can recover, seabirds need breeding grounds which are free of predators like rats. The Biosecurity for Scotland project helps deliver biosecurity plans for islands, support for biosecurity surveillance and training for marine industries. Alongside this they offer educational resources and raise awareness.
Biosecurity for Scotland is a partnership of RSPB Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland, NatureScot and the Northern Lighthouse Board. This project is supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.
How can I help?
You can take responsibility for your own biosecurity by following some important steps before and during visits to islands
Orkney Native Wildlife Project
The Orkney Native Wildlife Project, a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council, is working with local communities to safeguard the internationally important native wildlife of Orkney by addressing the threat from invasive non-native Stoats. The main aim is to protect native wildlife by eradicating Stoats, returning the islands to their natural stoat-free status. The project will help protect Orkney’s unique wildlife into the future through education, monitoring and community engagement.
Since the project began, the results have been remarkable. The Orkney Vole, a species found only in Orkney, has seen a significant population increase and monitoring of other species, including ground-nesting birds like Curlews and Hen Harriers, is also showing positive signs.
The Orkney Native Wildlife Project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the EU’s LIFE programme and the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.
Saving Morvern’s Rainforest
Stream through woodlands at RSPB Scotland Glencripesdale. Credit John MacPherson.
The west of Scotland is home to a rare type of woodland called temperate rainforest. One of the biggest threats to the long-term survival of Scotland’s rainforest is an invasive non-native plant called Rhododendron ponticum. Introduced around 300 years ago, rhododendron can be immensely damaging. It spreads very fast and if not tackled, it soon out-competes native plants. Tackling and reversing the spread of Rhododendron is a critical factor in securing the future of the rainforest
RSPB Scotland is taking on the problem with Saving Morvern’s Rainforest, one of 10 landscape-scale projects running through the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest. The project aims to remove Rhododendron ponticum from about 850 hectares of woodland on the Morvern peninsula, is supporting woodland creation, and has set up a new tree nursery, using seeds collected locally.
This project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of multiple funders, including the Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, and the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Advocacy
As well as practical conservation efforts and community outreach, RSPB Scotland work alongside Scottish Environment LINK partners to call on Scottish Government to support and deliver urgent action to address the threat of invasive non-native species to Scotland’s incredible wildlife. Last year, a report was published which set out key priorities and actions Scottish Government can take.
Crucially, the Natural Environment Bill currently going through parliament will be a tool to drive further action to tackle this threat.
What can I do?
As well as the tips we have already mentioned, there are lots of other ways you can help prevent the spread of invasive non-native species
Find out more at nonnativespecies.org
Header image: Birch woodland with Rhododendron ponticum, RSPB Scotland Glencripesdale. Credit John MacPherson.