A9 Dualling Programme. Non-Native Invasive Species Identification Guide

Transcription

1 A9 Dualling Programme Non-Native Invasive Species Guide

2

3 Non-Native Invasive Species Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) is a term that refers to any non-native animal or plant that has the ability to spread into the wild and cause damage to our environment, economy, health and well-being. NNIS can severely impact upon the distribution and population of our native fauna and flora, leading to losses in biodiversity levels as NNIS become rapidly established and compete for the same resources as our native species. In Scotland, the need to consider NNIS is provided through the following wildlife legislation: Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) it is an offence to release or allow to escape into the wild any species outwith its native range. Section 1 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, it is the duty of every public body and office holder, in exercising any functions, to further the conservation of biodiversity so far as it is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions. As a public body and responsible landowner, Transport Scotland is obliged to minimise the risk of spreading NNIS in the wild. Therefore, the purpose of this document is to serve as a quick reference guide on the NNIS that present a risk to the A9 Dualling Programme, with recommended reporting measures to enable us to effectively manage our environmental liability in relation to wildlife legislation and Transport Scotland s public duty on the conservation of biodiversity.

4 Current and Potential Threats The main threats of NNIS to our native fauna and flora are through: spread of diseases that kill our native animals and plants (e.g. squirrel pox); predation of our native animals and plants (e.g. American Mink); and the displacement of our native animals and plants from their habitats (e.g. Japanese Knotweed). Therefore, the following pages provide a list of NNIS that have been identified as presenting a current or potential threat within the vicinity of the A9 Dualling Programme project extents. Some invasive species, which are not classified as NNIS under existing legislation, have also been identified. These include native species that may present other threats to land managers and/ or particular habitat types within the vicinity of the A9 Dualling Programme project extents. Please note that this field guide should be read in conjunction with the A9 Dualling Programme Biosecurity Guidance Note.

5 How you can help our native fauna and flora. Personnel working on behalf of Transport Scotland have a responsibility to minimise the risk of escape, or spread, of NNIS. In addition to the control measures outlined in the Biosecurity Guidance Note, all field staff must remain vigilant on the risks associated with NNIS when working on site. If you identify, or suspect the presence of any NNIS during the course of your site work: take a detailed description of the animal or plant (i.e. what, where, when, approximately how many/ how much); for plant species, estimate the area of affected ground or watercourse; make a note of the location ideally to the nearest 100 metres (use GPS if you have it); and if possible, take a photograph of the animal or plant. Mobile phone apps are available for Android, ios and Blackberry operating systems, which may assist you further with species descriptions and photographs; as well as acquiring grid references. Upon return to your local office, inform the Lead Ecologist to ensure the NNIS information is added to an appropriate baseline/ survey register or GIS system. This will help Design Teams develop a better understanding of the distribution of NNIS and to inform environmental assessment, mitigation and works control measures. Where required, the Lead Ecologist shall inform the relevant authorities of NNIS (e.g. Scottish Natural Heritage). The Lead Ecologist may also need to arrange for other ecology survey teams to confirm the presence of NNIS as part of ongoing fieldwork commitments.

6 Current Threat American Skunk-Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) Emergent semi-aquatic plant Large flower spikes emerge between March and May Spikes emerge from a rosette of broad spade-like leaves Strong unpleasant odour Watercourses Pond Margins Wet Woodland Dense growth can reduce biodiversity through shading Spreads via seeds, berries and/ or rhizomes

7 Current Threat Australian Stonecrop/ New Zealand Pigmyweed (Crassula helmsii) Emergent or submerged aquatic plant Small and fine green criss-cross leaves Small white flowers with 4 petals at the tip of each stem Stems up to 30cm in length Visible all year round Waterbodies (slow-moving water) Forms dense mats on waterbodies Dense growth can increase local flood risk Spreads via shoots and plant fragments can regenerate

8 Current Threat Carolina Water-Shield (Cabomba caroliniana) Fan-like leaves with hairy appearance Multiple branched stems Small white flowers with 6 petals Visible all year round Waterbodies (slow-moving water) Forms dense mats on waterbodies Dense growth can increase local flood risk Fragments can regenerate into new plant

9 Current Threat Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster species) Low-lying shrub with woody stems Small waxy green leaves and clusters of berries Visible all year round Private Gardens Often seen growing over walls/ exposed rock faces Dense growth can reduce biodiversity through shading Spreads via seeds and berries

10 Current Threat Few Flowered Leek (Allium paradoxum) Very obvious tufts of long spear-shaped green leaves Usually less than 50cm in height Flowering stem is branched and triangular in shape Single flower above cluster of bulbis (see insert) Strong garlic aroma when in flower (April to May) Riverbanks Hedgerows Woodlands Dense growth can reduce biodiversity through shading Spreads via seeds (bulbis) Cluster of bulbis

11 Current Threat Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) Tall plant with dense umbrella shaped head (can reach from ground level to over 5m in height) Large jagged shaped leaves Cane-like stem with deep purple speckles and hairs Can grow individually or in dense stands In flower approx. May to September inclusive Riverbanks Roadside Verges Railway Embankments Dense growth can reduce biodiversity through shading Hazardous (toxic sap can cause photodermatitis) Spreads via seeds and plant fragments can regenerate Avoid walking or breaking ground within 10m

12 Current Threat Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera). Long narrow green leaves with serrated edges Green/ red translucent stems Pink/purple hooded flowers In flower approx. May to September inclusive Riverbanks Road Verges Railway Embankments/ Waste Ground Dense growth can reduce biodiversity through shading Easily spread through popping the seed pods Dense growth can increase soil erosion/ local flood risk Spreads via seeds and plant fragments can regenerate Avoid walking or breaking ground within 10m

13 Current Threat Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) Large green heart shaped leaves on zig-zag stems Smooth cane-like stems with deep purple speckles Can grow individually or in dense stands (can reach from ground level up to 3m in height) In flower approx. May to September inclusive Drooping cream flowers visible in late summer Riverbanks Road Verges Railway Embankments/ Waste Ground Dense growth can reduce biodiversity through shading Can cause structural damage to roads and buildings Fragments can regenerate into new plant Avoid walking or breaking ground within 10m

14 Current Threat Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa) Pink flowers (sometimes between white and red) Bright green rounded leaves Spiny stem Characteristic rose-hip fruit Hedgerows Roadside Verges Railway Embankments/ Waste Ground Dense growth can reduce biodiversity through shading Vigorous growth can shade native flora Largely spreads via creeping roots (suckers) Rosehip

15 Current Threat Montbretia (Crocosmia x crocosmifolia) Stout emergent semi-aquatic plant (can reach up to 60cm in length) Tubular orange flowers on zig-zag stems Long spear-shaped green leaves Private Gardens Ditches Roadside Verges Dense growth can reduce biodiversity through shading Largely spreads via creeping roots (rhizomes)

16 Current Threat Pond/ Waterweeds Submerged aquatic plants with similar appearance Narrow leaves arranged around stems (stems can reach up to 3m in length) Visible all year round Waterbodies Fragments can regenerate into new plant Canadian Pondweed Curly Waterweed Nuttall s Pondweed

17 Current Threat Rhododendron (Rhododendron species) Stocky shrub (can reach from ground level up to 5m in height) Dense pink/ purple flower-head Waxy leaves arranged in a spiral on woody stems In flower approx. May to September inclusive Private Gardens Woodlands Heathlands Dense growth can reduce biodiversity through shading Spreads via seeds

18 Current Threat Water Fern (Azolla filiculoides) Floating aquatic plant Small multi-branched leaves, scale-like appearance Mostly green but turn red during the winter Visible all year round Waterbodies (slow-moving water) Forms dense mats on waterbodies Dense growth can increase local flood risk Capable of vigorous growth; Fragments can regenerate into new plants

19 Current Threat Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Small arboreal mammal with smooth grey fur and thick bushy tail May appear rusty in colour, similar to Red Squirrel, but larger and have no tufts of hair on ears Build dense nests (dreys) in trees using leaves/ twigs Often seen foraging for seeds and nuts on the ground Active all year round Woodland (broadleaved and coniferous) Squirrels are most active around dusk and dawn Greys are larger than native Red Squirrel Greys carry disease (Squirrel Pox) that infect Red Squirrel Do not approach/ handle live or injured specimens Grey Squirrel Red Squirrel Drey

20 Current Threat American Mink (Mustela vison) Small riparian mammal, up to 60cm in length (not to be confused with juvenile otter) Smooth glossy dark brown fur Small white patch of fur under the chin Long and narrow tail (half the animals total length) Similar to Polecat (lacks bandit appearance) No white tips to ears Watercourses Predates on native fauna (e.g. water vole, bird eggs) Hybridises with native Polecat Nocturnal, but sometimes active during the day Do not approach/ handle live or injured specimens American Mink Otter Polecat

21 Potential Threat Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) Red/ brown appearance Underside of claws are pink/ red Can grow up to 15cm in length Can be active during daylight and all year round Watercourses (incl. streams, rivers, lakes and ponds) Predate on fish eggs and aquatic invertebrates Spreads through waterways, but may cross land Signal Crayfish carry disease that infect aquatic species Populations may undermine riverbanks Do not approach/ handle live or injured specimens Signal (Larger) White (Smaller)

22 Potential Threat Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Smaller in size than marine mussels (up to 5cm length) Distinctive D shape Shell is asymmetrical, strong, thick and keeled Contrasting dark/ light zig-zag ornamentation Visible all year round Watercourses (incl. streams, rivers, lakes and ponds) Attaches itself to range of objects (e.g. outfalls, roots) Dense growth can affect river characteristics and may affect salmon and FWPM habitats

23 Potential Threat Parasites Gyrodactylus salaris (GS) is the greatest threat to wild salmon populations in the UK The UK is currently free from GS Other parasites may also infect salmon (e.g. sea lice) Rather than trying to identify if parasites are present, be aware of how fish are behaving as infected fish may appear sluggish, greyish in colour with visible mucus and fungal infections Do not approach/ handle live or injured specimens Gyrodactylus salaris

24 Other Threats Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) Emergent aquatic plant Small white petals (up to 5) at tip of stem Mixture of fine and jagged kidney shaped leaves In flower approx. May to September inclusive Waterbodies This plant is not an NNIS under current legislation, but it is not native to the River Spey catchment Forms dense mats on waterbodies Largely spreads via creeping roots (runners) Dense growth can affect Salmon and Freshwater Pearl Mussel (FWPM) habitats Flower and fine leaves Kidney-shaped leaves

25 Other Threats Ragwort (Senecio species) Compact head of yellow flowers at the tip of each stem Below stem, dense rosette of wavy leaves Tall erect plant (can reach from ground level up to 1m in height) In flower approx. May to October inclusive Waste Ground Roadside Verges Farmland/ Grazing land This plant is not an NNIS under current legislation, but it is poisonous to cattle/ horses Spreads via seeds Toxic sap may cause dermatitis/ blisters to humans

26 References Information and images used in developing this document were sourced from the following: GB Non-Native Species Secretariat Sheets: Scottish Natural Heritage Non-Native Species Association of Salmon Fisheries Boards (Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie; Spey and Tay)