Overview

This accessible guide gives you the tools to be confident in identifying and managing frequently encountered non-native invasive plants in Britain and Ireland. Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the biggest drivers of global biodiversity loss along with climate change and habitat fragmentation. If allowed to colonise unchecked, they can have irreversible negative impacts on the integrity of the natural environment and associated ecosystem services. In spite of widescale efforts, there has been an almost exponential increase in new introductions to Britain and Ireland in the last 20 years. The only way we can tackle them is to engage both professionals and the public in mapping their distribution, and to encourage everyone to take the right actions to contain them. This book will help you: Identify frequently encountered non-native invasive plants and know their potential impacts. Differentiate lookalikes, including how to separate native species from closely related non-native invasive species. Understand the extent of invasive potential, including trees, grasses, freshwater aquatics and seaweeds. Quickly check the legislation so you know which species should be reported and to whom. Prevent mistakes – often, with best intentions, people take action which makes the situation worse. Avoid introducing invasive species into your gardens and local environment. Packed with illustrations, maps and tips, this book is a practical tool and reference for professional ecologists, environmentalists, gardeners and everyone interested in the protection and sustainable management of our countryside and green spaces.

Full Product Details

9781784275648

Table of Contents

Reviews

...very instructive and useful...the book is ideal for amateurs and professionals, and as the authors say for gardeners, professional ecologists, environmentalists and all that seek protection of nature and green spaces. -- John Feltwell * Wildlife Matters *

...very instructive and useful...the book is ideal for amateurs and professionals, and as the authors say for gardeners, professional ecologists, environmentalists and all that seek protection of nature and green spaces. -- John Feltwell * Wildlife Matters * This identification guide is faithful to its aims and intentions. It certainly provides a very useful tool for training invasive species champions to identify invasive plants, collect data, take action and inform others to facilitate IAS management actions in Britain and Ireland. -- Frances Lucy * The Irish Naturalists' Journal *

Author Information

Fran Giaquinto CEnv MCIEEM is a plant ecologist who has focused on the prevention and sustainable management of invasive species since 2009. Phoebe O'Brien is an independent field botanist specialising in vascular plant identification and grassland ecology. She is one of the vice-county recorders for Co. Clare, Ireland, for the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, and works on national surveys and local biodiversity projects. The authors have collaborated on two previous plant identification guides.

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