Invasive & imported garden plants a danger to UK wildlife

The launch of the invasive aquatic plant awareness campaign by Defra and the Scottish Government encourages gardeners to be aware of the risks posed by non-native plants and provides guidance on how to minimize the spread of these pest species.

Spread of non-native pond plants to nature reserves
The spread of non-native pond plants to nature reserves is a major issue for the RSPB and the Society has welcomed the initiative, known as Be Plant Wise.

Dr Paul Walton is the RSPB's lead on non-native species. He said: "When people move animals and plants around the world and allow them to escape into areas where they do not naturally occur, serious environmental damage can result. This is one of the main causes of wildlife extinctions."

Aquatic plants particularly damaging
"In the UK, aquatic plants have been particularly damaging, spreading from garden ponds and choking wetlands habitats, including many RSPB nature reserves. Once established they are difficult, sometimes impossible, to remove - and a warming climate will make matters worse.

"We need more research into how to manage invasive plant problems. By making people aware of which species present a threat and promoting alternatives for the garden, this campaign is the ideal start. It promises to help protect our wildlife and nature reserves from a major threat."

The guidance covers four non-native species:

• New Zealand pigmyweed, also known as Australian swamp stonecrop (Crassula helmsii); 
• Parrot's feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum); 
• Water fern, also known as fairy fern (Azolla filiculoides); 
• Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides).

Conwy and Ynys-hir nature reserves, in Wales 
Lochwinnoch nature reserve, in Renfrewshire, Scotland 
Rye Meads nature reserve, in Hertfordshire 
Arne nature reserve, in Dorset 
Dungeness nature reserve, in Kent 
Fen Drayton Lakes nature reserve, in Cambridgeshire 
Old Hall Marshes nature reserve, in Essex 
Sandwell Valley nature reserve, in Birmingham 
Blacktoft Sands nature reserve, in East Yorkshire 
Exminster Marshes nature reserve, in Devon