Invasive Species

These are non-native species which are harmful and detrimental to the area they occur in. Human activity has increased the rate at which invasive species are brought into a country or area and the speed of spread once they have arrived. These species can significantly alter the native ecosystem, reducing biodiversity and often having a negative economic impact on built environments. Japanese knotweed is arguably the most infamous invasive weed in the country.

In 2015 there were an estimated 2,000 invasive non-native species in Great Britain. (‘The Great Britain Invasive Non-native Species Strategy', Animal and Plant Health Agency, August 2015, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/455526/gb-non-native-species-strategy-pb14324.pdf)