Invasive Species - One of the biggest threats to Biodiversity -

This is the fourth Episode of the ‘Our Planet, Our Response Series’, sponsored by Octopus Energy.
See the full series here: bit.ly/3C8bDf6
In this Episode, we follow Arran Moran’s (presenter) response to the biodiversity-loss driver, ‘Invasive Species’. From addressing what Invasive Species are to how they are a driver of biodiversity loss and what we can do to reduce this problem.
So, now you’ve heard our response… what’s yours?
Next Steps: Visit the Eco Sapien and earth Minutes UK Instagram pages for handy actions and tips.
Episode Features:
Rob Nelson, Biologist and Filmmaker
Michelle Jackson, University of Oxford
OPOR Series:
We’re a team of biologists, environmental researchers and filmmakers making a Series in response to the recent David Attenborough’s documentary ‘A Life on our Planet’ (2020); investigating how we can drive impactful action to protect our planet and our futures.
Who are we? This is a collaboration between Eco Sapien (@ecosapien) and Earth Minutes (@earthmintuesuk) - BTS coming soon (October 2021)
In this Series, we address key drivers of biodiversity loss; Overexploitation (Episode 2), Pollution (Episode 3), Invasive Species (Episode 4) and Climate Change (Episode 5). Each Episode addresses possible actions we can take to drive impact in the long-term. Featuring a range of experts, from biologists, campaigners to sustainability leaders, we’re celebrating a diverse range of ideas, experiences, knowledge and actions.
Thank you to Octopus Energy for Sponsoring the Series!
Useful links
Eco Sapien videos about Invasive Species:
- Is Himalayan Balsam Bad? - • Is Himalayan Balsam bad?
- Is Japanese Knotweed Bad? • Is Japanese Knotweed bad?
Robs latest video about invasive species - What Kudzu is and IS NOT good for - • What Kudzu is and *IS ...
Apps:
- PictureThis - apps.apple.com/gb/app/picture... and play.google.com/store/apps/de...
- Invasive Species Europe - apps.apple.com/us/app/invasiv... and play.google.com/store/apps/de...
- Sealife Tracker - apps.apple.com/gb/app/sealife...
- IveGot1 Florida - apps.apple.com/us/app/ivegot1... and play.google.com/store/apps/de...
- Aquainvaders - apps.apple.com/gb/app/aquainv...
Compendium of Invaisve Species around the world: www.cabi.org/isc/
Governmental websites for reporting invasive species sightings:
• UK - www.nonnativespecies.org/home/...
• USA - www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/s...
• Australia - invasives.org.au/
• New Zealand - www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/h...
• International Directory - odp.org/Science/Environment/Bi...
A few online sources of up-to-date news about invasive species:
- www.sciencedaily.com/news/pla...
- www.theguardian.com/environme...
- www.livescience.com/topics/in...
- news.mongabay.com/list/invasi...
References
CABI. 2021. Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. (online) Available at: www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/28... (Accessed 12 October 2021).
Uq.edu.au. 2021. An ugly menace. (online) Available at: www.uq.edu.au/research/impact/... 12 October 2021).
Photo Credits
An Asian long-horned beetle is perched atop a green leaf. - Kyle T. Ramirez - Photojournalist
Pijlriet in Griekenland - Opzwartbeek -
Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park - Pavel Kirillov from St.Petersburg, Russia -
Dreissena polymorpha, zebra mussel - Smithsonian Environmental Research Center -
The Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. - Christian Fischer -
紅頰獴 Small Asian Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) - Chung Bill Bill -
A photo of a Vespula vulgaris at nests entrance. Taken by Soebe in Northern Germany and released under GNU FDL. - Soebe -
Scanning electron micrograph of a frozen intact zoospore and sporangia of the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). - Dr Alex Hyatt, CSIRO
Queensland State Archives
Dermolepida albohirtum (Waterhouse, 1875), Mission Beach, QLD, 21 December 2011
- Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmar
Cane Toad in Super 1080p HD - Dylan O'Donnell - • Cane Toad in Super 108...

[@D.Lalith_Vithesh]

thanks for the information

[@maesmichael]

Very informative!

[@arranmoran8342]

Thanks for watching Michael!

[@Lou_Mansfield]

There are a bunch of invasive plants and animals and insects in my state, Pennsylvania. It's horrible

[@lobstrosity7163]

I love how there's a human in the thumbnail. So fitting it hurts.

[@alexcontreras6103]

Today's "natives" were yesterdays invasive. Today's "invasive" will be tomorrow's natives. Some are worst than others while some are highly beneficial and many are scapegoats for other problems, many invasives are the turnover with better-adapted abilities that could help increase biodiversity in the future, nature is always influx with things moving in and out of ecosystems that grow and collapse. If some invasive would be counted as part of an ecosystem the biodiversity would only increase but the problem is they are not acknowledged or counted for just looked at as something that shouldn't be there and invasives on the mainland don't really cause so much of a problem unlike islands although many islands it has increased their biodiversity.

[@ravequeenellisd2680]

They absolutely cause problems in the mainland, in northern Spain and Portugal eucalyptus has been completely ravaging our native forests, invasive vines suffocate trees and drown out native hedges, etc. They don't increase biodiversity at all, they diminish it by outcompeting plants that they haven't coevolved with. You need to go out and see the effects of invasives with your own two eyes.