About 65 non-native marine species are currently found in UK waters – usually near the coast or in estuaries. They are concentrated in areas with a lot of human activity such as habours and marinas. Very often alien species slip into UK seas unnoticed on the hulls of boats and then establish themselves in sheltered ports and marinas when the boats are moored.
Over the centuries, Britain has been enriched by many thousands of plants from around the world. In our gardens and open spaces they have helped to add colour and interest, while other species are important for commercial reasons or for food and timber production.
This week is the National Trust’s first ever Plant Invaders Week (5–12 June) – a drive to control the most harmful non-native plants that are taking over the countryside and threatening UK biodiversity.
Peter Rabbit, the mischievous bunny character created by Beatrix Potter is as quintessentially British as barn owls and badgers, but rabbits were not always a familiar sight in the countryside.
A tiny mottled brown insect from Japan is soon to be released in parts of the UK to stem the spread of Japanese Knotweed, a non-native plant that is growing wildly out of control all over the country.
Celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock and Natural Environment Minister Huw Irranca-Davies highlighted the problem of invasive pond weed today on the choked banks of the River Wandle in London. They launched the Be Plant Wise campaign by Defra and the Scottish Government calling gardeners to pay more attention to the plants they grow in ponds to stop non-native plants from harming our native wildlife.
