Biodiversity experts plan for arrival of invasive species amid rise in temperatures

A National Parks and Wildlife Service team removes the first Asian hornet nest found in Ireland. Picture: NPWS

Biodiversity experts are drawing up plans to combat rising temperatures in Ireland which will likely lead to the arrival of more invasive species from warmer climates.

Researchers will examine likely temperature changes on land and sea and then map the probability of invasive species coming here.

The project, in its infancy, is being undertaken by officials working with the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) and scientists researching the impacts of global warming.

The research began before the recent invasion of the bee-killing Asian hornet, but the arrival of that species is likely to give added impetus to the project.

John Kelly, who leads invasive species projects for the NBDC, confirmed that developing a ‘risk register’ of the chances of non-native species arriving here will be undertaken to see what might be coming down the tracks.

It will not only inform experts but should also help to educate the public on potential risks.

“In New Zealand, the people there are very conscious of invasive species, and I’d like to see Irish people to be as aware as they are,” said Mr Kelly.

Threats are coming from land, sea, and air and increased temperatures could also spark issues with indigenous species.

Potential early threats, apart for the Asian hornets, are bark beetles, which have now established themselves in Britain.

They can destroy whole forests, and Christmas trees are their favourite diet. A single pair can produce 3,600 offspring in a year.

They have flown into Britain from France and if they establish themselves in North Wales, they are just a short hop to Ireland.

In Britain, sniffer dogs have been trained to detect them.

Tiger mosquitoes

Mr Kelly expressed concern about the expanding range of tiger mosquitoes, specifically the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus).

Their bites can spread yellow fever and dengue fever, among other diseases. The mosquitos have also been linked to the zika virus.

Mr Kelly said the mosquito needs a temperature of around 20C to 25C to survive and if milder winters arrive here, it could become a permanent resident.

“There have been two sightings of these insects already in Ireland,” he said.

These were possibly one-off sightings, and there is no evidence yet that they have multiplied and that they present an immediate threat, he said.

Invasive green algae

Mr Kelly said caulerpa taxiolia, a species of invasive green algae, is already prolific in the Mediterranean and if sea temperatures increase here, it “could take off in Irish waters, especially in bays”.

The algae can cause dense mats in waterways, making it almost impossible for water sports to continue, especially angling.

These mats of weeds provide a perfect habitat for mosquitoes to breed and thrive and spread serious diseases.

Meanwhile, it is not just the foreign invaders we need to keep an eye out for, said Mr Kelly.

Our native rat population could thrive if winter temperatures rise.

Mr Kelly said if this happens, the multiplying population of rats will need more prey, which could be destructive to a lot of birds and small animals and lead rats into more conflict with humans as they invade properties scavenging for food.

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