Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS)
WINNS Project
The Wear Rivers Trust is currently working to map invasive species throughout the Wear catchment. As part of our Wear Invasive Non-Native Species (WINNS) project we are;
• Gathering INNS records from the public and other organisations
• Co-ordinating volunteer walkover surveys
• Producing INNS coverage maps for the whole Wear and for individual priority sub-catchments
• Training people to identify and control INNS
• Strategically tackling INNS in partnership with others
Learn More
For more information on the various INNS please follow the link below to the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat.
WINNS: Mapping
Building a baseline
The first stage of WINNS is, logically, mapping the current distribution of the most important INNS in the Wear catchment. Developing this accurate baseline map is vitally important in informing the Wear INNS Strategic Management plan. To create this baseline map we are;
- Working with partners to collate all existing data available
- Recruiting a network of volunteers to survey for INNS along watercourses
- Training this volunteer network to collect reliable and accurate data on INNS
- Collating existing and volunteer data to share accurate current maps of INNS coverage
WINNS: STRATEGY
We are currently producing a strategy for tackling INNS across the whole Wear catchment. We will capture the current distribution and propose future activity in a WINNS management plan. We're linking with other organisations working towards the same goal, sharing knowledge and resources to be more effective. There are several other invasive species which pose a threat to UK watercourses and we will use a risk based approach to prioritise our work in future.
Regional Strategy
Wear Rivers Trust is now working with other organisations within the North East to create a region-wide INNS strategy to cohesively tackle invasive species across the Till, Northumberland Rivers, Tyne, Wear, and Tees catchments. This involves collaborating with the four other Rivers Trust associated with these areas, as well as Durham Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency, Northumbrian Water and Environmental Records Information Centre (ERIC) North East, to compile invasive species records and share information. By learning from each other and pooling resources, it is hoped that a more efficient strategy for tackling INNS can be devised, increasing the likelihood of that these species may one day be eradicated from the region
Other species to be on the lookout for in the Wear catchment include:
· Curly Waterweed
· Zebra Mussel
· American Skunk Cabbage
· Terrapin
· American Signal Crayfish
· Giant Japanese Knotweed
· Rhododendron
· Russian Vine
· Killer Shrimp*
These are currently much less common than Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and giant hogweed, but must be monitored and sightings responded to quickly to prevent them becoming common and causing widespread damage.
*The killer shrimp is a GB alert species due to the devastating effect it could have on UK aquatic ecosystems. Any sightings of this species must be reported to the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology so the nation-wide response protocols which have been developed can be enforced quickly (more information is available at http://www.nonnativespecies.org//alerts/index.cfm?id=3).
Winns: Management
Efficient and effective management
Where appropriate we are using volunteer effort to control INNS in the Wear. We seek all permissions and liaise with stakeholders to manage INNS where we can achieve the maximum benefit. The management of INNS is important because of the negative impact they can have upon the environment. INNS often form mono cultures and out compete native species which have evolved to suit the Wear catchment.
Biosecurity
Many freshwater and riparian invasive species are able to spread from one area to another hidden in our clothing, footwear or equipment. It is therefore incredibly important that biosecurity measures, such as CHECK, CLEAN, DRY. This process was developed by DEFRA as a simple way to prevent the spread of these INNS from one site to another by people:
CHECK – Check clothing, footwear (including treads) and equipment for mud, plant material (e.g. seeds) or small aquatic animals before leaving the site and remove anything found while still there.
CLEAN – Clean everything thoroughly in hot water (if possible, do this while still at the site), making sure to include damp or hard to reach areas.
DRY – Leave everything to dry for as long as possible before using at a new site. Bear in mind certain species can survive for up to 2 weeks in damp conditions.
If you are planning to visit multiple sites, another useful tip is to make sure any sites where invasive species are not currently found (particularly any of significant ecological importance) are visited first while those where invasive species presence has been confirmed are left until last. As long as clothing, footwear and equipment have been checked, cleaned and dried following any previous visits to affected sites, this should prevent the spread of invasive species to these areas.
More information about biosecurity is available at http://www.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandry/index.cfm
