Invasive Species

Protected Species in the UK

For the many land development projects all over the UK, the situation with invasive species is crucial, with various introduced species of plants becoming an issue whenever they rapidly spread.

Managing invasive non-native species is an ecological best practice, but it also has a direct negative impact on the timeline and budget of your planning project if it isn’t handled correctly the first time.

With the right help from our team, developers and planners can account for any possibility of invasive plant species on the site, making all the right moves to avoid complications and guarantee planning permission.

What Are Invasive Species?

Also known as invasive alien species, invasive plant species, non-indigenous species and non-native invasive species, invasive species are primarily problematic plants that have been transported beyond their natural range before going on to cause any level of damage.

Whenever an organism is moved to a new area and successfully establishes itself in the new environment, it can become invasive. The process often happens when they are without the natural predators or diseases that would usually control them in their native habitat.

Any of the terms above could refer to troublesome plants and animals. For example:

• American mink endanger water voles
• Asian hornets endanger bumblebees and honeybees
• Grey squirrels from North America endanger red squirrels
• Muntjac deer endanger protected plant species found growing across the UK
• Rapana venosa endangers native oysters
• Signal crayfish endanger white-clawed crayfish, large fish and other marine species of aquatic organisms

More often than not, however, invasive species are known as particularly destructive flora.

Examples of Invasive Species

Although you might not expect it, many invasive species create a major threat to Great Britain. Due to this, harmful plants are categorised by UK law within Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it easier to identify and control them.

The list of species including problematic weeds is extensive, with climate change causing new arrivals and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) monitoring changes to behaviour.

In terms of the types of invasive plants that often appear on development sites across the country, the most common include:

• Floating Pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides)
• Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
• Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)
• Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica / Reynoutria japonica)
• Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

For more of an idea of what plants feature within UK legislation, check out our invasive species list.

Characteristics of Invasive Species

Non-native invasive species are defined by their ability to out-compete and often displace native species, and the characteristics are what make them hard to control, such as versatile adaptability, high dispersal rates, and the ability to reproduce rapidly from root fragments.

Consequences of Invasive Species

It is crucial that we control invasive species because of the negative consequences they could have on our environment and economy, even posing risks to human health. Not only that, but if alien plant species are left unchecked, there could be significant and long-term problems.

Below, we’ve given more of an in-depth explanation of the ecological impacts and economic effects of invasive non-native species:

Ecological Impacts of Invasive Species

The most widely known effect of harmful plants is caused to native biodiversity.

Invasive species spread rapidly, beating native species to important resources, such as the light and food source. The invasive species can then go on to alter the native habitat, like how thick patches of Himalayan balsam on river banks can out-compete native plants and animals.

As well as endangering native plant species, biological invasions such as these can introduce new diseases and are a significant threat to environmental protection.

Economic Effects of Invasive Species

The economic impact of harmful species is immense, causing economic damage to commercial forestry and agriculture. In the case of Japanese knotweed, for example, building structures can be severely damaged by exploiting the smallest cracks.

For private landowners, homeowners, local governments and more, the associated costs for removal and remediation can be substantial, making the process of dealing with non-native species costly.

Control Methods for Invasive Species

In order to effectively control invasive species, a multi-faceted approach is needed, combining legal obligations with practical management measures.

Early detection is key to preventing the extent of damage invasive non-native species can cause, but more than anything, the main control measures come from the restriction of laws and the actions of regulators.

Invasive Species Laws

• The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017
• The Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991
• The Environmental Protection Act (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991
• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 9)

Invasive Species Regulations

• The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
• The Environment Agency
• Local Planning Authority

Invasive Species Surveys

At any point that an invasive species appears on a development site, the planning project can grind to a complete halt.

There’s always a chance of problematic invasive non-native species being on a site, and due to this, you need to act decisively and be prepared ahead of time.

With invasive species surveys, you can ensure that a development moves ahead in a way that is lawful, compliant, and free of unexpected costs and delays.

What is an Invasive Species Survey?

An invasive species survey is a detailed examination of a site to confirm the presence, extent and distribution of harmful or regulated plant species.

The goal of an assessment is to create a plan for remediation, removing any chance of the plants regenerating from roots or seeds before ground works are given the go-ahead to start.

Different Types of Invasive Species Surveys

• Advanced Biosecurity Planning and Expert Witness Services
• Giant Hogweed Surveys
• Himalayan Balsam Surveys
• Injurious Weed Surveys
• Japanese Knotweed Surveys
• Problematic Species Audits
• Problematic Species Management Plans

When Are Invasive Species Surveys Needed?

A few different situations could lead to the need for an invasive species survey.

For instance, an assessment will be needed if previous versions of ecological reports or local knowledge point towards a Schedule 9 species being on the site, or if there are areas like river banks or other man-made habitats that are prone to colonisation by specific invasive plants.

It could also be the case that you are applying for planning permission and the local planning authority asks for an assessment as assurance that invasive non-native species risk will be managed, or it might be a precautionary measure to avoid the fines and legal action associated with allowing an invasive species to spread to other areas.

Invasive Species Survey Methods

Part of what makes up an extensive assessment and comprehensive report for invasive non-native species on a site is the use of a rigorous methodology.

Our survey methods ensure that we are able to pass on the necessary information to design teams, relevant regulators and competent authorities.

Invasive Plant Survey Steps

1. Desk Study of Site History

Reviewing local records of the site’s history to determine the likelihood of a specific plant pest species being present now or in the past.

2. On-Site Inspection

Visiting the site in person to search for evidence of invasive non-native species, record locations, gauge the extent, and estimate the density.

3. Mapping and Photography

Creating detailed maps and taking photographs to document the precise location of the infestation.

4. Sampling (If Required)

In rare cases, collecting physical samples from the site to confirm species identification, especially when dealing with closely related organisms.

Invasive Species Survey Report

After an assessment has been completed, the ecological consultant who carried it out will go on to create an invasive species survey report.

Within the report, there will be key information about the site and the presence or absence of plant species. More specifically, it will accept or refute that harmful species inhabit the site, map the extent of the infestation, and provide clear recommendations for appropriate control and remediation.

Developers and planners benefit from an ecological report because it can be passed on to the local planning authority as proof that all legal obligations and planning conditions have been met, leading to planning permission getting granted. It will also set a clear strategy for moving forward, such as pest control, containment or removal.

Our Invasive Species Solutions

Finding an invasive non-native species on your development site isn’t ideal, but our aim is to solve the issues it could bring, protecting the natural environment while keeping your planning project moving forward.

Based on a detailed knowledge of native flora and the threats posed by other species, instead of just removing the problem plant, our focus is on ensuring the long-term health of the local area.

A strategic approach is needed whenever dealing with large areas of infestation, preventing impact on nesting sites, intercepting transmission from one body of water to another, and protecting native wildlife.

Whoever you’re given to work on your site, you will get the same level of quality and attention to detail, with the record for ecology and ecosystem services at Arbtech speaking for itself.

Highly Skilled Invasive Species Consultants

Our specialist team consists of highly qualified consultants with several years of knowledge and experience to identify, map and propose solutions for all possible plant species invasions.

Covering the entire country, an invasive species consultant is located in numerous parts of the UK, meaning we can respond quickly to your needs and assist developers and planners efficiently.

We ensure that our experts have the necessary licensing and at least two years of relevant experience to provide trustworthy, authoritative and reliable advice.

Suitable Invasive Species Survey Timing

In ecology, timing is everything, so fitting invasive species surveys into the right seasonal window based on the plant’s growth cycle is vital.

As with protected species surveys, the general rule of thumb is to carry out invasive species surveys between late spring and early autumn, ideally in the summer months.

Anyone who requires an invasive plant survey would be advised to get in touch as early as possible, giving us a realistic chance of booking in an assessment as soon as we can and within the optimal time period.

Competitive Cost for Invasive Species Services

We understand that your budget matters, and we don’t want you to be paying over the odds for services you need.

Through a combination of our expertise and efficient logistics, we aim to make our ecological services as quick and efficient as possible without sacrificing quality, and this extends to our invasive species services.

Our focus on detecting such species of plants at an early stage and reporting clearly ultimately saves you money by preventing costly delays and ensuring you meet regulatory requirements to avoid economic or environmental harm.

On top of that, all of our quotes are created in a universal way, starting with a general baseline fee before being added to based on the size of the site, the amount of time needed, and the necessary number of consultants.

Plan Your Invasive Species Survey Today

If your development project is threatened by additional species of invasive plants, we would recommend speaking to our team about arranging a suitable assessment. That way, you can account for the presence of the plants and other organisms, adhere to the legal obligations set by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and meet the planning conditions of your local authority to obtain planning consent.

Ask for a free quote by ringing our head office, emailing us directly or filling out an online form, and just make sure you include as much information about your site and project as you can. One of our team can then evaluate your needs and work with you to set a date for an assessment to be undertaken on your site, whether it’s a type of invasive species survey, a broader ecology survey or something different entirely.