News No threat from non-natives Non-native plants pose ‘no threat’ to UK flora a study suggests
Non-native plant species do not pose a risk to native flora, as widely assumed, because impacts are limited to localised areas, a study has suggested.
Data showed that non-native species were unlikely to out- compete native species, which were not widespread enough to have an impact nationally.
However, the study adds that invasive species are problematic in local areas, costing an estimated £1.7bn each year.
The findings appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The team from the University of York looked at data from almost 500 plots across the UK, comparing results from 1990 with those from 2007. The dataset, the Countryside Survey, is described as a “unique study or audit of the natural resources of the UK’s countryside” and has been collecting data since 1978.
Co-author Chris Thomas from the University of York said the study
assessed the impact of non-native species on a national scale, not the impact recorded in localised areas. Areas that were good for non-native species were also good for native ones, the study observed.
In particular, he highlighted two of the study’s main findings: “The first is that almost all non-native plant species are pretty rare and localised. The vast majority were not even common enough to be found in a single one of the sample plots.”
“The second key finding is that, if we look at the increases and decreases over time of particular species - both in terms of their abundance and at how many sites they occur - there was no consistent difference between species, regardless of when they arrived in Britain.”
The Non-Native Species Secretariat is responsible for helping to co-ordinate the strategy to tackle and control the impact of non-native species across the UK, reporting to the
relevant governments and agencies. Its definition of non- native species refers to an organism introduced to the UK “outside of its natural past or present distribution”.
A report published in December 2010 concluded that invasive non- native species, such as Japanese knotweed, cost the British economy an estimated £1.7bn each year.
Responding to the team’s findings, a Defra spokesperson said: “Whilst we recognise that the vast majority of them do not cause any problems, some non-native plant species take over 100 years to have a negative impact.”
"Invasive non-native species pose a serious threat to our environment and economy. For example, Himalayan balsam is threatening the native Tansy beetle with extinction in the UK, whilst Japanese knotweed costs the British economy £166m a year.”
Prof Thomas commented: “We Himalayan Balsam
are not saying that some non- native plants are not a nuisance to us as humans. There are native species that are problematic, such as nettles in gardens or ragwort in meadows, but it does not mean that any of these species are inexorably driving the rest of British biodiversity extinct.”
In summary, Prof Thomas said, the generally negative view of non-natives could do with some adjustment. “What we would conclude is that to have quite so many non-native species at the top of our list of problematic plants doesn’t really make sense - unless you are willing to add hundreds of problematic native species to the list as well.”
Not another ‘bloody’ magazine? Ten years on and Pitchcare magazine celebrates its Diamond anniversary
This edition of the Pitchcare magazine is our sixtieth ‘diamond’ issue and represents ten years of providing the turfcare industry’s leading magazine across all sectors.
Having initially been told, back in 2005, that the industry “does need another bloody magazine”, we have remained true to our
When Keith Kensett passed away in September 2013, the turfcare industry lost one of its favourite sons.
DIAMOND GEEZERS
KEITH KENSETT - THE GRADEN MAN
4 I APRIL/MAY 2015
Keith was responsible for introducing a new word to the UK turfcare industry’s dictionary - ‘gradening’ - with the Graden machine becoming a ‘must have’ piece of kit for renovations on many a turf surface.
Keith’s right hand man, long serving colleague and friend, Keith “little Keith” Driver, Head of Contracting at R&K Kensett made the following comment on his passing: “Keith was not only an
original remit of providing top quality articles about the people who really matter - the groundsmen and greenkeepers; their working practices, the problems they face on a daily basis and the techniques they employ to go about their business of providing top quality playing surfaces.
open book of turf based knowledge, but he was also a top bloke and a great friend to many. He was generous with his invaluable advice and his precious time to which many have been beneficiaries of and I'm certain he will be a great loss for our industry in so many ways.”
“Anyone who saw Keith in action would have been hard pushed not to be influenced by his absolutely infectious enthusiasm and witty cockney humour!”
A proper ‘geezer’ in every sense.
In recognition of our anniversary edition, we have identified a number of ‘diamond geezers’ whom we believe have made a significant contribution to the industry in the past ten years. You will find them liberally spread throughout the magazine, but what better place to start than with Keith Kensett.
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