Invasive species list

WE TELL YOU WHICH ARE THE INVASIVE PLANTS IN SPAIN

A few days ago in Gardenprue the topic of invasive species came to mind and that is what we are going to talk about briefly in today’s post. They can be many, mammals, fish, plants or even single-celled organisms but what concerns us are plants. We are going to see which are the species considered invasive in the Iberian Peninsula.

WHAT IS AN INVASIVE SPECIES?

An invasive species is one that is transported naturally or by human action to an ecosystem other than the one of origin where it can develop and reproduce at levels that are harmful to the new ecosystem and unbalance it.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVASIVE SPECIES?

  • The damage caused by an invasive species introduced into a new ecosystem can be such that populations of native species of the invaded ecosystem can become extinct and therefore constitute one of the reasons for the loss of biodiversity.
  • Another problem is the economic one if the affected species, be it plant, animal etc. It involves the loss of economic activities such as agriculture or livestock, among others.

The great problem of an invasive species is that its control is tremendously difficult, becoming impossible in many cases, both from the point of view of population control and from the economic and resource point of view involved in trying to control the species .

American crab ( Procambarus clarkii )

EXAMPLES OF INVASIVE SPECIES

I can think of one that I have particularly experienced. If you are a fisherman from the northern third of the Peninsula or have someone nearby, you will know the case of the introduction of the American crab ( Procambarus clarkii ) in Spanish rivers that has practically made the native crayfish ( Austropotamobius pallipes lusitanicus ) disappear by transmitting a disease called aphanomycosis. The indigenous crab population is small and it is only found in upper courses. In addition, the American crab harms other fish and amphibians.

Another very common is the creeping plant known as Cat’s Claw from southern Africa and which has colonized numerous environments in Spain. Its introduction into the natural environment, possession, transport, traffic and trade is prohibited but we can see it in many Mediterranean gardens and in coastal areas, promenades and dunes, which in Spain are quite a few.

Examples of these are many such as the zebra mussel which is considered one of the most harmful invasive species on the planet. Another example, in this case of a tree, is the Ailanthus ( Ailanthus altissima). It is highly resistant and therefore has been widely used in parks and gardens but has managed to displace other native species in natural environments.

SUSCEPTIBLE ECOSYSTEMS

Invasive species cases can occur anywhere, but there are places more susceptible than others. The most important physical barrier is the sea, therefore the biggest problem of invasions of ecosystems is usually insular areas. The islands are isolated as their etymological root indicates and this generates unique ecosystems in a weak easily alterable balance. In a natural way, it is more difficult for this to happen but the human being, with global displacements , voluntarily or involuntarily introduces invasive species that affect these delicate ecosystems.

For this reason, in Spain, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands are one of the hot spots for invasions of new species since the entire European continent travels there practically every day.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH SPECIES ARE CONSIDERED INVASIVE?

Here is a link that shows all the invasive species declared in Spain by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment. In the final tables you can find all the invasive species including fungi, plants, mammals, insects etc.

Royal Decree 1628/2011, of November 14, which regulates the Spanish list and catalog of invasive alien species.

This Royal Decree is currently under review pending a new classification. We will keep you informed of this update. In the meantime, this is what we have. There are other entities that advise, investigate and warn of new introductions of invasive species such as the GEIB, Specialist Group on Biological Invasions . In his blog you will find numerous links to other sites that are dedicated to it.

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