Introduction to Invasive and Non-Native Species

Invasive species are one of 5 pressures on our wildlife, and they are major contributors to biodiversity loss worldwide. This course gives an overview of what Invasive species are, how to recognise certain species and provides a hand-on practical session. Delivered by 2 marine specialists, the presentations include examples of marine invasions, both historical and much more recent where both specialists have reported on animals in their area of expertise: marine polychaetes and bivalves. There is a deep-dive into non-native and invasive polychaetes and molluscs and some recent new arrivals to Wales and the UK.

Using the Marine INNS kit, created in 2022 with NRW funding, we present each major marine group along with distribution maps, images and fact sheets. This is an opportunity to examine the INNS kit, which has been used in workshops around Wales for NRW, Seasearch, Festival of the Sea and APEM.

Graduates, students, local authority ecologists and planners, conservation officers, ecological consultants, environmental managers, wardens, rangers (anyone likely to encounter invasive non-native species e.g. fishing industry, aquaculture, consultants).

It is useful if participant has basic knowledge of non-native species, but this can be delivered at an introductory level.

• Know the difference between non-native and Invasive non-native species (INNS).
• Understand which are the top 10 Marine INNS threatening Wales.
• Recognise the differences between INNS that look similar to our native species.
• Understand why INNS are such a threat to our biodiversity.
• Know where to record INNS and how to access further information on them.