National Invasive Species Database

Colette O’ Flynn

Invasive Species Ireland Forum 2009

National Invasive Species Database

• Established in 2008

• To provide centralised up-to-date information on the distribution of invasive species in Ireland

• Information easily accessible

http://invasivespecies.biodiversityireland.ie

National Invasive Species Database - How does it work?

Submit record to Data Centre

Identify species & record

Mapping system, online access

Where to start – what species?

Where to start – what species?

EPA STRIVE – Alien invasive species in Irish water bodies

Address the knowledge gap identified under the Water Framework Directive for alien invasive species in Ireland’s River Basin Districts

Scientific Name Common NameMost

UnwantedSTRIVE

Eriocheir sinensis Chinese Mitten Crab X X

Dreissena polymorpha Zebra Mussel X X

Gammarus pulex none - X

Gammarus tigrinus none - X

Ameiurus nebulosus Brown Bullhead Catfish X -

Leuciscus cephalus Chub X X

Leuciscus leuciscus Dace X X

Mustela furo Feral Ferret X -

Oxyura jamaicensis Ruddy Duck X -

Rattus norvegicus Brown Rat X -

Rattus rattus Ship Rat X -

Sciurus carolinensis Grey Squirrel X -

Didemnum species none X -

Arthurdendyus triangulatus New Zealand Flatworm X -

Sargassum muticum Wire Weed X -

What species to record?

• 3418 records

• 26 species

Mapping species - more than just squaresMapping species - more than just squares

Mapping species - more than just squaresMapping species - more than just squares

Mapping species - more than just squaresMapping species - more than just squares

Mapping species - more than just squaresMapping species - more than just squares

Mapping species - more than just squaresMapping species - more than just squares

Nymphoides peltata

Mapping species – assessing the threatMapping species – assessing the threat

Mapping species – coincidence mappingMapping species – coincidence mapping

Mapping species – pattern of spreadMapping species – pattern of spread

Mapping species - more than just squaresMapping species - more than just squares

Mapping species - more than just squaresMapping species - more than just squares

Mapping species - more than just squaresMapping species - more than just squares

The Value of a National Invasive Species

Value Challenges

• Flow of data• Collaboration• Funding

• Inform• Research• Management• Early detection• Awareness• European &

International information networks

Invasive Species Survey

• 8 species• All-island• Baseline data• Awareness

Taxon Name Common Name STRIVE ISI Most Unwanted

EPA WFD risk

analysis1 Azolla filiculoides Water Fern X X X

2 Crassula helmsii New Zealand Pigmyweed X X X

3 Elodea nuttallii Nuttall’s Waterweed X X X

4 Hydrocotyle ranunculoides Floating Pennywort X X X

5 Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrots Feather X X X

6 Fallopia japonica Japanese Knotweed X X X

7 Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan Balsam X X X

8 Heracleum mantegazzianum Giant Hogweed X X X

5/8 ‘pose most threat to the attainment of the environmental quality objectives of the WFD within Ecoregion 17 and Atlantic Ocean’

May have indirect impact on water quality. To be considered in risk analysis process.

• Recording• Early detection• Year 1 – pilot

National Biodiversity Data CentreWIT West CampusCarriganoreWaterford

Phone: (051) 306240

Website: http://invasivespecies.biodiversityireland.ie

Contact Information

For every additional record submitted to the National Invasive

Species Database, a clearer picture of the status of that invasive

species in Ireland is generated.