It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Bumblebees have a remarkably successful method for fighting off Asian hornets, new research shows.
When attacked, buff-tailed bumblebees drop to the ground – taking the hornets down with them. This either causes the hornet to lose its grip, or the bee raises its sting and tussles until the hornet gives up.
University of Exeter scientists witnessed over 120 such attacks, and were stunned to find that bumblebees fought off the hornets every time.
Despite this, they found bumblebee colonies had reduced growth rates in areas with high numbers of Asian hornets – suggesting the hornets still had a negative impact, even if their attacks at colony entrances usually failed.
Asian hornets (also known as yellow-legged hornets) have already invaded much of mainland Europe and parts of east Asia, and have recently been reported in the US for the first time.
Sightings in the UK and continental Europe are at record levels this year – raising fears for pollinators and prompting substantial control efforts.
“Asian hornets prey on a wide range of insects, including honey bees, but little is known about their impact on other pollinators,” said Thomas O'Shea-Wheller, of the Environment and Sustainability Institute on Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
“With honey bees, the hornets do something called ‘hawking’ – hovering outside the bees’ nest and attacking returning foragers as they fly past.
“We recorded hornets doing the same thing to bumblebees, but with the surprising difference that in our observations, they were entirely unsuccessful.”
In the study, commercially reared bumblebee colonies were placed at 12 locations across the province of Pontevedra, Spain, with varying local Asian hornet densities.
Colonies were weighed every two days (weight change is a measure of colony growth) and those in areas with higher Asian hornet densities grew more slowly.
“We can’t say for certain why this is,” O'Shea-Wheller said.
“It’s possible that some external factor is good for Asian hornets, allowing them to thrive, but bad for bumblebees.
“However, it’s perhaps more likely that the presence of Asian hornets limits the success of bumblebee colonies.
“Although the attacks we witnessed at colony entrances were unsuccessful, bumblebees have been reported in the diet of Asian hornets, and the hornets are known to prey on them elsewhere.
“Furthermore, defending against such attacks is likely energetically costly – and when hornet abundance is high, this could be a major problem for bees out foraging.
“Hornets also consume nectar from flowers, meaning they compete directly with bees for food and harass them at flower patches via constant attacks.”
Commenting on the hornets’ low success rate during attacks, O'Shea-Wheller said: “I have seen hornets attack bumblebees of all sizes, including some that are larger than them.
“They are very persistent and generalist predators, so these attacks may still be worthwhile despite the high failure rate, as long as they sometimes get a kill.”
Buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) have not evolved alongside Asian hornets (Vespa velutina), so O'Shea-Wheller said their successful defensive strategy may well be an “evolutionary coincidence”.
“While honey bees are often unable to escape the clutches of Asian hornets once grappled in the air, the bumblebees’ defensive response of dropping to the ground appears to be more successful,” he said.
In addition to the University of Exeter, the research team included scientists from the University of Vigo and the University of Santiago de Compostela.
The study was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The paper, published in the journal Communications Biology, is entitled: “Quantifying the impact of an invasive hornet on Bombus terrestris colonies.”
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE (AAAS)
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has conceived of and launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) fellowship in just two months — record speed — to support leaders in Congress as they craft legislation, in particular policies related to emerging opportunities and challenges with AI. Capitol Hill’s surging interest in AI policy follows the public release of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools.
The STPF Rapid Response Cohort in AI operates under the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) program and is part of the 51st class of 276 scientists and engineers placed across all branches of the federal government who just kicked off their assignments. The AI cohort is comprised of six scientists who will serve as expert staff in a congressional office or committee with most starting their yearlong placements this week to provide guidance on pressing issues such as AI ethics, information integrity, intellectual property, human rights and algorithmic risk.
“We have been running the STPF program for half a century, and this is the first time we have been able to bring the support and a talented pool of applicants together in such a short timeframe. It took activating partners, scientific societies, industry colleagues and our networks to attract promising candidates and make this program a reality,” said Rashada Alexander, Ph.D., STPF director at AAAS. “Thanks to broad-base support, legislators can now more easily access AI-specific scientific and technical expertise as they explore policy options.”
The AI fellows were selected for their expertise and proficiency on the complexities of developing and deploying a multitude of AI technologies. They will help policymakers and their staff understand conceptually how AI works, along with the technical, economic and social issues that may arise from its widespread deployment. The AI fellows had two weeks to apply and two more weeks to wrap up their personal and professional lives — and, in most cases, move their households to Washington, D.C.
“The sudden explosion in generative AI affects every aspect of policy, from national security, workforce, and health care to intellectual property, education and transportation,” said Craig Mundie, former chief research and strategy officer for Microsoft, who conceived of this new fellowship cohort program with AAAS. “We are entering a transformational era in human history that requires informed policymakers who understand the potential implications of AI on society.”
Placements for the 2023-24 STPF Rapid Response Cohort in AI include:
U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Serena Booth, Ph.D., Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior positions: Visiting researcher at the University of Texas at Austin and product manager at Google.
The committee scrutinizes AI, algorithms and other emerging technologies, which may be used in the banking, housing and investment fields.
Office of Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.): Soribel Feliz, M.S., Public Administration and Economics, Syracuse University. Prior positions: Microsoft, Meta and the U.S. Department of State.
Sen. Cassidy is a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, which will cover AI impacts in health care, privacy, education and the workplace.
Office of Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.): Cynthia Lee, Ph.D., Computer Science, University of California San Diego. Prior position: Faculty, Computer Science Department, Stanford University; has also served as an expert witness.
Sen. Heinrich is co-chair of the Senate AI Caucus.
Office of Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.): Kiri Wagstaff, Ph.D., Computer Science, Cornell University. Prior position: Senior Instructor I, Oregon State University, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Sen. Kelly is a member of the Senate AI Caucus.
Office of Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.): Rebecca Voglewede, Ph.D., Neuroscience, Tulane University. Prior position: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health.
Sen. Rounds is co-chair of the Senate AI Caucus.
Office of Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.): Eoghan Stafford, Ph.D., Political Science, University of California Los Angeles. Prior position: Centre for the Governance of AI (United Kingdom); researcher focused on the intersection of data science and human rights, democracy and international conflict.
Sen. Wyden is focused on privacy, cybersecurity and other related issues to understand potentially abusive practices and advance national policy to prevent misuse.
“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Cynthia Bailey Lee to my team as a new AAAS fellow. Cynthia brings a wealth of computer science expertise, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence. She will be an important part of my team as the Senate continues to determine how best to govern AI,” said Sen. Heinrich.
Sen. Wyden added: “Eoghan's expertise on the intersection of AI and international human rights and free speech will provide a valuable new perspective to my office's work on those pressing issues. I look forward to Eoghan joining our team and contributing to the vital conversation about how to defend those core values in the face of rapid technological advancements.”
AAAS administers the STPF program, including the new AI cohort, and provides professional development throughout a fellow’s term. The selection process for STPF fellows is nonpartisan, and the fellows interview with host offices — personal offices and congressional committees — prior to making their final decisions. Of the 276 scientists and engineers in the 2023-24 STPF class, 38 are serving in Congress, one is serving at the Federal Judicial Center, and 237 are serving in the executive branch across 19 federal agencies or departments.
“These exceptional technology experts answered the call to help shape the future of AI. They will inform policy that enables the greatest AI advancements while ensuring benefits for all,” said Sudip S. Parikh, Ph.D., chief executive officer of AAAS. “As AAAS turns 175 and strives to ignite progress for the next two centuries, agile programs that provide timely expertise for urgent policy matters will be crucial — AI is just the beginning.”
AAAS received more than 130 applications for the AI cohort program from a wide range of scientists and engineers with AI-relevant expertise, who recognized the rare opportunity to serve in Congress during a pivotal time in the public policy landscape. The new AI fellowship class is sponsored by a funding consortium of foundations, corporations and individuals who recognize the need for AI technical expertise on Capitol Hill. For more information on the STPF program, visit this page.
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The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science, as well as Science Translational Medicine; Science Signaling; a digital, open-access journal, Science Advances; Science Immunology; and Science Robotics. AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes more than 250 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. The nonprofit AAAS is open to all and fulfills its mission to “advance science and serve society” through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more. For additional information about AAAS, visit www.aaas.org.
Founded in 1973, the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) program provides opportunities to outstanding scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about policymaking and contribute their knowledge and analytical skills in the policy realm. As one of AAAS’ immersive fellowships, STPF aims to help ensure that public policy is made better and more complete with the consideration of scientific evidence. Fellows serve yearlong assignments in the federal government and represent a broad range of backgrounds, disciplines and career stages. Each year, STPF adds to a growing corps of approximately 4,000 policy-savvy leaders working across academia, government, nonprofits and industry to serve the nation and citizens around the world.
A cellulose-based thickener to reduce environmental risks of liquefied stabilized soil
Researchers show that adding a thickener can prevent bleeding, loss of fine particles, and unwanted settling of liquefied stabilized soil
CREDIT: SHINYA INAZUMI FROM SHIBAURA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, JAPAN IMAGE SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.SCIENCEDIRECT.COM/SCIENCE/ARTICLE/PII/S2214509523005879?VIA%3DIHUB#COI0005
In many regions across the globe, rapid economic growth has increased the industrial waste generated from construction sites. The environmentally responsible disposal of this waste is a challenge. However, governments are now enacting stricter laws to prevent waste generation and ensure proper disposal of such waste. Popularized in the 1990s, liquefied soil stabilization is one approach to reuse excavated soil and harmful sludge at construction sites. The construction-generated waste is mixed with cement or other solidifying materials and reused as backfill for reinforcement and ground stabilization. The ability to pump and pour this material across a site is especially advantageous when applied in areas with constraints related to soil compaction that require rapid solidification.
Unfortunately, liquefied stabilized soil has drawbacks and isn’t environmentally friendly. First, “bleeding” can occur—when the water in the stabilized soil rises to the surface, and the denser materials settle to the bottom—which causes a loss in soil strength. Next, it cannot be poured over long distances due to fluidity constraints. Lastly, the cement solidifiers used during its preparation may contain chromium that can leach into the environment and cause heavy-metal contamination. A team of researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) has recently shown that altering the solidifiers and thickeners can help circumvent the existing structural and environmental limitations of liquefied stabilized soil. The team was led by Prof. Shinya Inazumi from the School of Engineering and Science at SIT, and their findings were made available online in Case Studies in Construction Materials on August 18, 2023.
“Construction sludge and excavated soil has traditionally been considered waste, but its disposal bears an environmental cost. We are pursuing creative ways to regenerate this waste so it can serve as an environmentally friendly resource. Our geotechnical advancements have allowed us to tweak the liquefaction and stabilizing parameters to improve the soil’s characteristics,” says Prof. Inazumi, elaborating on the team’s motivation behind the research.
To overcome environmental and structural limitations, the team used a cellulose-based thickener to inhibit the bleeding phenomenon and maintain fluidity. Additionally, ordinary Portland cement (OPC) solidifier was replaced with a mixture of earth silica-blast furnace slag powder (ES-B). ES-B is more sustainable as it does not contain any chromium, its components can be altered to adjust the rate of curing, and when mixed with soil, it enables homogenous mixing and better fluidity of the end product. While the team studied how a solidifier with more ES-B and less OPC influenced soil characteristics, their main focus was understanding the impact of using a cellulose-based thickener.
The researchers found that strength of the liquefied stabilized soil remained unaffected by the addition of the cellulose-based thickener, and was able to completely suppress bleeding and prevent the separation of soil components, compared to soil that didn’t incorporate a thickener. “While the soil’s fluidity did decrease, the cellulose-based thickener did not cause any difference in the reaction products nor resulted in the stabilized soil affecting its surroundings when immersed in water,” explained Prof. Inazumi when asked to elaborate on the study’s key findings.
These improvements to liquefied stabilized soils offer several advantages, which will help facilitate the environment-friendly disposal of industrial waste, but also improving the stability of building foundations—especially in earthquake-prone zones. The reuse of waste material will also improve the circularity of construction projects, resulting in cost savings and reduced environmental impact. This technology will also reduce the time needed for ground improvement on construction sites, improving operational efficiency.
Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) is a private university with campuses in Tokyo and Saitama. Since the establishment of its predecessor, the Tokyo Higher School of Industry and Commerce, in 1927, it has maintained “learning through practice” as its philosophy in the education of engineers. SIT was the only private science and engineering university selected for the Top Global University Project sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The institute will receive support from the ministry for ten years starting from the 2014 academic year. Its motto, “Nurturing engineers who learn from society and contribute to society,” reflects its mission of fostering scientists and engineers who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the world by exposing their over 8,000 students to culturally diverse environments, where they learn to cope, collaborate, and relate with fellow students from around the world.
Dr. Shinya Inazumi is a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Shibaura Institute of Technology. His laboratory researches ground improvement technologies for disaster management and environmental protection, damage to underground water resources following earthquakes, water-shielding technologies, and prolonging the life cycle of waste treatment plants. He has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles since 2000.
The UK government needs to do more to equip schools with the materials and resources to teach young people about climate change and their role in responding to it by refocusing the school curriculum, according to the authors of new research.
The new report - a policy brief from the University of Bath’s Institute for Policy Research (IPR) - explores how secondary school curricula across the UK’s four nations could be better aligned to support the UK government’s binding commitment to reach net zero by 2050.
According to the Climate Change Committee and recent House of Lords Net zero and Behaviour Change report, around 60% of future emission reductions will involve lifestyle and behaviour changes, re-considering what we buy, what we eat, as well as how and why we travel.
Previous research from the University of Bath highlights how young people are increasingly aware of climate change, and are eager to play their part, yet often lack the skills and knowledge to know where to start. This lack of agency may in part fuel rising levels of eco-anxiety observed in young people.
According to the latest DfE guidance, teachers are currently advised to be ‘impartial’ when teaching about responding to climate change – a term the researchers suggest is highly ambiguous and unhelpful. Young people – who will be disproportionately affected – need a clear understanding of what the transition to net zero means for them, they say.
Through new analysis of national curricula for schools in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the IPR policy brief finds that ‘climate change’ as a topic in schools is typically limited to Geography and Science lessons. The researchers say it could play a far bigger role across other subject areas.
For example, instead of presenting climate change as principally a scientific challenge – requiring technological solutions - it could also be incorporated into other subject areas, such as English, DT and Art. This could offer young people different ways to engage in the subject, including by thinking about the different kinds of social changes required.
Acknowledging that schools are currently limited in their ability to stray beyond curricula, the IPR brief calls on education policy makers to rethink how responding to climate change can be better addressed at school. Examples of good practice are already emerging internationally, including through the International Baccalaureate, which could be expanded.
In the UK, they point to the work of the ‘Ministry of Eco Education’ - an organisation spearheaded by Dale Vince, that collates resources to help schools and teachers embed sustainability across the curricula - as well as an initiative from the Royal Meteorological Society that incorporates content about climate change across the English curricula.
Lead researcher, Dr Katharine Lee of the University’s Department of Psychology said: “In the face of rising global temperatures and the ever-increasing risks posed by climate change, we know young people want more information about this topic, and they want to play their part as active citizens.
“This can help channel their frustrations and passions, and enable them to become powerful agents of change. Currently our approach is too often siloed, and the wider actions and roles young people as citizens can play are ignored. By giving young people the tools to respond, we will help equip them with the skills they will need in the future.
“We need to remember that today’s 13-year-olds will be 40 in 2050 – by which point the UK needs to have achieved net zero. The impact of climate change will be ever-present in their lives, and our transition to net zero will play a significant part in shaping their lives and future careers.”
AN ACOEL (TOP) WITH TWO TYPES OF SYMBIONTS COLLECTED IN KOCHI, JAPAN (BOTTOM LEFT). THE GREEN-COLORED SPOTS IN THE ACOEL ARE GREEN ALGAL (TETRASELMIS)SYMBIONTS (MIDDLE RIGHT) AND THE BROWN-COLORED SPOTS ARE DINOFLAGELLATE SYMBIONTS (BOTTOM RIGHT). (PHOTOS: KEVIN WAKEMAN AND SIRATEE RIEWLUANG)
Acoels have been found to host a wide diversity of symbiotic, photosynthetic microalgae.
Animals and plants need energy. Some animals get energy by eating other animals, and many plants harvest the energy in sunlight through photosynthesis. However, in the ocean, there exists a remarkable group of small, worm-like animals called acoels that do both—some acoels form relationships (symbiosis) with single-celled, photosynthetic microalgae.
A study by Assistant Professor Kevin Wakeman and his undergraduate student, Siratee Riewluang, at Hokkaido University, Japan, has shed some light on the biodiversity underpinning symbiotic relationships between acoels and microalgae. Their findings were published in the journal PeerJ.
Acoels are superficially simple. However, this simplicity is misleading. Due to their regenerative ability and position as one of the first animal groups on the planet, acoels interest biologists in the fields of evolutionary biology, regenerative biology, and neurobiology. Some acoels also form symbiotic relationships with microalgae. This includes green algae and other types of microalgae that also associate with coral reefs called dinoflagellates.
“These acoels engulf microalgae seemingly as ‘food’, but they do not digest them. Instead, they store them below their outer surface. They create energy using sunlight—much like adding solar panels to your house,” explained Siratee.
“Photosynthetic acoels are mostly found in warmer waters. Therefore, we focused our sampling in Southern Japan. We also found acoels near Kochi, a region of Japan that receives warm water from the Kuroshio Current. Photosynthetic acoels can be difficult to spot—they are microscopic. But, under a microscope they are easily recognizable, by their brightly colored algae,” Siratee continued.
Throughout 2022, Wakeman and Siratee collected algae and sediment samples. The host acoel and their symbionts were identified by DNA sequencing. Symbiotic microalgae were removed from acoel hosts and put into culture. This study found that acoels contained various green algae (Tetraselmis); previously, only one species was known. Several dinoflagellate lineages were also found. Most belonged to the Symbiodiniaceae, a group famously associated with coral (and other invertebrates). Some of these Tetraselmis and dinoflagellates might be new to science.
Unexpectedly, Wakeman and Siratee came across what might turn out to be a whole new group of acoels harboring symbionts (only one group is currently known).
“We found that there was more diversity of acoels and their symbionts than we really expected,” said Wakeman. “Even in this present dataset, which focuses on Japan, it’s clear that there are fascinating interactions between acoels and microalgae. These results will lay the groundwork for future studies that can tease apart what are probably some interesting ecological mechanisms. I really am excited to see where this ends up.”
Wakeman and Siratee will continue work on photosynthetic acoels for Siratee’s Master’s. “It would be cool to figure out if they really are a new group of acoels with symbionts, but we need more genetic data and unambiguous morphological data to confidently assign a new name,” said Siratee. “Eventually, I would like to use advanced imaging and genetics to explore these acoels at a molecular level.”
New group acoel with dinoflagellate symbionts
An acoel with dinoflagellate symbionts (brown color). The acoel was collected from Okinawa, Japan, and was about 1 mm in length. This particular acoel is of interest because it may be a new group of acoels containing symbiotic microalgae. (Photos: Kevin Wakeman and Siratee Riewluang)
Kevin Wakeman (left) and Siratee Riewluang (right) collecting samples in Okinawa, Japan. (Photos: Kevin Wakeman and Siratee Riewluang)
MUNTJAC DEER HAVE A BIG IMPACT DAMAGING TREES AND SHRUBS, WITH KNOCK-ON EFFECTS ON FLORA AND FAUNA THAT RELY ON THESE HABITATS. MUNTJAC BREED RAPIDLY AND THE EXPERTS WARN THAT SHOULD THE SPECIES BECOME ESTABLISHED IN SCOTLAND, IT WOULD POSE A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO EXISTING VEGETATION AND PLANS FOR WOODLAND EXPANSION. PHOTO: GBNNSS
Raccoons, muntjac deer, plants that cause flooding, and mussels that clog up water pipes are among the new problem species that are likely to arrive in Scotland over the next decade and pose a serious threat to nature or people.
More than 1,000 invasive non-native plants, animals and other organisms are already established in Scotland including the grey squirrel, rhododendron, Japanese knotweed, mink and New Zealand flatworm.
Now, in an independent study for the Scottish Government, a team of experts, led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and NatureScot, has predicted other non-native species that could arrive, establish and have negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, economies or human health over the next 10 years. They have also highlighted how these species are likely to arrive.
Out of the 171 possible new arrivals, the experts have drawn up a top 10 priority list (see notes and photos) including Asian clam, quagga mussel and zebra mussel, floating pennywort and parrot’s feather, which are freshwater species that outcompete native wildlife for food and space.
Freshwater biodiversity, which is culturally and economically important in Scotland, is considered to be particularly vulnerable because river and lake ecosystems already face other pressures such as climate change, overexploitation, sewage, nutrient pollution and recreation activities which can exacerbate the impacts of invasive non-native species.
For example, after the introduction of the non-native ruffe in Scottish waters as live bait by anglers in the early 1980s, its population expanded and, by feeding on the eggs of the powan, it caused declines in this rare native species at Loch Lomond.
The recent promotion of tourism in northern Scotland has led to exceptional increases in the number of visitors to this region, while national legislation has opened up access to watersports. The experts say there are therefore increased pathways for invasive non-native species to be transported into and throughout Scotland via vehicles, boats, equipment and clothing.
Other species on the priority list include muntjac deer, which could expand their range from other parts of Britain, as well as raccoons, which are kept within zoos and private collections and may escape or be released into the wild. Muntjac damage trees and shrubs and, the experts say, threaten Scotland’s plans for woodland expansion, while raccoons prey on native species, affect farm production and spread potentially fatal diseases including rabies.
The most common pathways for arrival of non-native species in a new region is through the import of produce and ornamental plants which are either invasive and then expand into the wild or which contain hidden species.
UKCEH ecologist Professor Helen Roy, an expert on invasive non-native species, led the ‘horizon scanning’ study, which is a systematic examination of information to identify potential threats and risks.
Professor Roy, who was also co-chair of a major global report on invasive non-native species for IPBES, explains: “Prevention is the best way to manage biological invasions , so we would urge people to follow simple biosecurity measures outlined in campaigns such as “Check, clean and dry” and “Be Plant Wise”. Everyone can make a difference in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive non-native species.”
The report, Provision of horizon scanning and analysis of pathways of spread of invasive species into Scotland, will inform national and local strategies and action to reduce the threat of biological invasions, which are increasing year on year.
NatureScot’s invasive, non-native species specialist, Stan Whitaker, says:“Invasive non-native species are a serious threat to Scotland’s nature, damaging our environment, the economy and our health, and costing Scotland at least £499 million a year.
“The threat is increasing with the growth in international trade and travel. But we can all do something to help prevent these species from spreading by being plant wise and composting invasive pond plants, like floating pennywort and parrot's feather in our gardens, with care – or by reporting sightings of mammals like muntjac deer."
In their study, the experts identified 171 new invasive non-native species that are considered likely to arrive in Scotland in the next 10 years, all of which negatively affect biodiversity. Some 27 of these species have impacts on human health and 47 on economies.
The experts highlighted 30 of these invasive non-native species that have a high risk of arriving, establishing and impacting biodiversity and ecosystems. From this, UKCEH and NatureScot then drew up a top 10 priority list (see photos in dropbox) which are:
Floating pennywort.
Parrot’s feather. These two invasive plants form dense strands that outcompete native flora for nutrients, sunlight and oxygen, and affect water quality and river flow, exacerbating flood risk. The species are widely distributed in England and Wales but have only been recorded on one site each in northern Scotland, and were removed.
The Reeve’s muntjac, which have already colonised parts of England and Wales. These small deer have a big impact damaging trees and shrubs, with knock-on effects on flora and fauna that rely on these habitats. Muntjac breed rapidly and the experts warn that should the species become established in Scotland, it would pose a significant threat to existing vegetation and plans for woodland expansion.
Raccoons. These highly adaptive omnivores were brought to Europe from America for fur farming and as prey for hunters, and are often kept as pets. They can spread diseases that are potentially fatal for humans and animals including rabies and a roundworm parasite, and have significant impacts on farm production by feeding on fruit crops and killing poultry.
Zebra mussel and quagga mussel. These two species outcompete native mussels and other organisms for space, nutrients and food, and also filter large amounts of water which has a negative impact on plankton, and therefore the aquatic food web. They feed on algae that compete with cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, which allows these toxic algal blooms to flourish, This can have impacts on biodiversity, economic interests and health.
Zebra and quagga mussels can also clog up pipes of water treatment plants and ships.
Asian clam. These molluscs inhabit rivers and seas, and release phosphorus and nitrogen into the water through burrowing, feeding from the sediment and their excreta. Higher concentrations of these nutrients can increase growth of harmful algal blooms and reduce oxygen levels in water.
Flatworms. A group of invasive non-native species prey on earthworms, with knock-on effects on the birds and mammals that feed on them as well as on plant and crop growth. Once established there is currently no known method of removal or control. The experts say the Australian, Southampton and Brown Kontikia and Obama flatworms could follow the New Zealand flatworm in becoming established in Scotland.
Pheasant's-tail grass. This plant species grows quickly into dense clumps, so is a potential fire risk in vulnerable habitats. It is widespread and hardy, and can also prevent germination of seeds of other species.
Highbush blueberry. This tall and dense deciduous can have significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem impacts, through outcompeting lower-growing plants and possibly reducing water content of boggy soils.
Slipper limpet. This marine mollusc reduces populations of native shellfish, which can have significant impacts on the fishing industry. The limpets outcompete native species such as scallops for food, smother oyster beds and attach themselves to other molluscs, reducing their survival, growth and reproductivity. There are additional costs associated with cleaning shells and water.
The number of non-native species being introduced to new regions around the world is increasing year on year. Up to 14% of these species in the UK are considered invasive.
IPBES, the leading intergovernmental body that assesses the state of the planet's biodiversity and its benefits for people, has highlighted invasive non-native species as one of five major threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, alongside climate change and land- or sea-use change direct exploitation of organisms and pollution. Combinations of these threats exacerbate changes in biodiversity.
