Invasion Biology | Biological Records Centre

Current Activity

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment highlighted invasive non-native species (INNS) as one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss. INNS cost the British and European economies an estimated £1.7 billion and €12 billion, respectively, each year. INNS are being introduced into Europe at unprecedented rates and are best controlled through prevention, early detection and rapid response. BRC has developed integrated warning systems, leading the development of national and European-wide databases providing information on >12,000 INNS coupled with detailed research on the ecology of INNS.

Key Outputs

Information systems contribute to understanding and management of INNS. The DAISIE database identified over 12,000 NNS within Europe, while the GB-NNSIP covers over 2,000 non-native species. The GB-NNSIP early warning and rapid response system was key to the Environment Agency’s early identification of the newly arrived shrimp Dikerogammerus haemobaphes. BRC has recently co-ordinated experts from the volunteer recording community in an horizon scanning review to predict INNS not yet established in Great Britain that are likely to impact on native biodiversity.

Spread of the harlequin ladybird (2004-2014)

Figure: Colin Harrower, CEH.

Over 50,000 people contributed harlequin ladybird records to the UK Ladybird Survey, helping to improve understanding of its ecology.

Number of established non-native species in the UK: an upward trend

Figure: Helen Roy, CEH

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of species becoming established in the UK over the last 400 years and there is no indication of this trend slowing. The number of established non-native species designated as having a negative ecological or human impact is also increasing.

Horizon scanning for non-native species

Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus
sanguineus. Photo: Martin Burke

Quagga mussel, Dreissena rostriformis bugensis, received maximum scores for risk of arrival, establishment and impact on biodiversity in an horizon scanning workshop involving volunteer experts from the recording community. The Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, is another species ranked in the top ten list of species most likely to threaten biodiversity in Great Britain in the next 10 years. The first record of this crab was received one year after the workshop predicted its arrival.

Future Challenges

Collaboration is critical for responding to INNS. BRC is leading a European network 'Towards a European information platform for alien species' which is facilitating collaboration between experts across the continent. The project aims to harmonise NNS databases and explore undiscovered sources of information. Such work is integral to the implementation of post-2010 EU Biodiversity Strategy. Within GB, BRC is supporting the rapid flow of INNS information from recorders to the GB-NNSIP and NBN Gateway to underpin effective decision-making.

References

RN328	Honek A., Martinkova Z., Dixon A. F. G., Roy H. E., Pekar S. (2016) Long-term changes in communities of native coccinellids: population fluctuations and the effect of competition from an invasive non-native species. ,
RN329	Garnas Jeff R., Auger-Rozenberg Marie-Anne, Roques Alain, Bertelsmeier Cleo, Wingfield Michael J., Saccaggi Davina L., Roy Helen E., Slippers Bernard (2016) Complex patterns of global spread in invasive insects: eco-evolutionary and management consequences. ,
RN330	Hui Cang, Richardson David M., Landi Pietro, Minoarivelo Henintsoa O., Garnas Jeff, Roy Helen E. (2016) Defining invasiveness and invasibility in ecological networks. ,
RN331	Roy Helen E., Brown Peter M. J., Adriaens Tim, Berkvens Nick, Borges Isabel, Clusella-Trullas Susana, Comont Richard F., De Clercq Patrick, Eschen Rene, Estoup Arnaud, Evans Edward W., Facon Benoit, Gardiner Mary M., Gil Artur, Grez Audrey A., Guillemaud Thomas, Haelewaters Danny, Herz Annette, Honek Alois, Howe Andy G., Hui Cang, Hutchison William D., Kenis Marc, Koch Robert L., Kulfan Jan, Handley Lori Lawson, Lombaert Eric, Loomans Antoon, Losey John, Lukashuk Alexander O., Maes Dirk, Magro Alexandra, Murray Katie M., San Martin Gilles, Martinkova Zdenka, Minnaar Ingrid A., Nedved Oldřich, Orlova-Bienkowskaja Marina J., Osawa Naoya, Rabitsch Wolfgang, Ravn Hans Peter, Rondoni Gabriele, Rorke Steph L., Ryndevich Sergey K., Saethre May-Guri, Sloggett John J., Soares Antonio Onofre, Stals Riaan, Tinsley Matthew C., Vandereycken Axel, van Wielink Paul, Viglášová Sandra, Zach Peter, Zakharov Ilya A., Zaviezo Tania, Zhao Zihua (2016) The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis: global perspectives on invasion history and ecology. ,
601	Stewart Alan JA, Bantock T., Beckmann B, Botham M. S., Hubble David S, Roy D. B. (2015) The role of ecological interactions in determining species ranges and range changes. ,
602	Roy Helen E., Rorke Steph L., Beckmann B, Booy Olaf, Botham M. S., Brown Peter M. J., Harrower Colin A, Noble David G., Sewell J., Walker Kevin J. (2015) The contribution of volunteer recorders to our understanding of biological invasions. ,
264	Roy Helen E., Peyton J., Aldridge D.C., Bantock T., Blackburn T.M., Britton R., Clark P., Cook E., Dehnen-Schmutz K., Dines T, Dobson M., Edwards F, Harrower Colin A, Harvey Martin C, Minchin D., Noble David G., Parrott Dave, Pocock Michael J. O., Preston Christopher D., Roy Sugoto, Salisbury A., Schönrogge K., Sewell J., Shaw R.H., Stebbing P., Stewart Alan JA, Walker Kevin J. (2014) Horizon scanning for invasive alien species with the potential to threaten biodiversity in Great Britain. ,
636	Roy Helen E., Preston Christopher D., Harrower Colin A, Rorke Steph L., Noble David G., Sewell J., Walker Kevin J., Marchant John H., Seeley Becky, Bishop John, Jukes Alison R, Musgrove Andrew J., Pearman David A., Booy Olaf (2014) GB Non-native Species Information Portal: documenting the arrival of non-native species in Britain. ,
634	Katsanevakis S, Genovesi Piero, Gaiji S, Hvid H N, Roy Helen E., Nunes A L, Aguado F S, Bogucarskis K, Dubusscher B, Deriu I, Harrower Colin A, Josefsson Melanie, Lucy F E, Marchini A, Richards G, Trichkova T, Vanderhoeven S, Zentos A, Cardoso A C (2013) Implementing the European policies for alien species – networking, science, and partnership in a complex environment. ,
604	Roy Helen E., Bacon Jim, Beckmann B, Harrower Colin A, Hill Mark O, Isaac Nick J. B., Preston Christopher D., Rathod Biren, Rorke Steph L., Marchant John H., Musgrove Andrew J., Noble David G., Sewell J., Seeley Becky, Sweet Natalie, Adams Leoni, Bishop John, Jukes Alison R, Walker Kevin J., Pearman David A. (2012) Non-Native Species in Great Britain: establishment, detection and reporting to inform effective decision-making. Defra,