Invasive Species
Our native flora and fauna represent a wealth of diversity into our landscapes, however as fashions of the times change many non-native species have been introduced to our countryside, some of which are competing for space with local plants.
Invasive plant species can be native or non-native, the ones Pondscape are primarily looking for records for are non-native.
Native invasive species grow well in disturbed or nutrient enriched conditions, to the detriment of other species.
Non-native plants are those that have been introduced to this country, either delibrately or by accident. Not all non-native plants become a problem, but when they do they are generally very difficult to control.
As a general rule native invasive plants do not cause ecological or physical damage as those not native to Britain.
Invasive non native species often have shared characteristics – they tend to grow quickly and reproduce rapidly, often shading out other plant species in the area and reducing biodiversity.
The information below provides advice and case studies for the common invasive plant species found in the Tees Valley.
General information
Field Guide by Tees Valley Wildlife Trust to common invasive plants
All choked up – preventing pond pests (Water for Wildlife)
Invasive non-native plants associated with fresh waters (species action framework)
Protecting our native flora (Environment Agency)
New Zealand Stonecrop – Crassula helmsii
Information sheet 11 – Australian Swamp stonecrop (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology)
Controlling Crassula at Old Moor RSPB Reserve
Controlling Crassula at Dungeness RSPB Reserve, Kent
Controlling Crassula at The Lodge RSPB Reserve, Bedfordshire
Australian Swamp Stonecrop (The Alien Invasive Species Project)
Water Fern – Azolla filiculoides
Information sheet 22: Water Fern (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology)
Algae
