A new national plan to tackle invasive non native species has been launched, as experts warn the growing threat is accelerating biodiversity loss across Scotland.
NatureScot’s action plan sets out measures to prevent, detect, eliminate and control invasive species, with climate change expected to increase their spread in the years ahead.
Invasive non native species are already having a major impact on Scotland’s ecosystems, contributing to declines in seabird populations and damage to rare habitats such as temperate rainforests and peatlands.
Species including puffins, water voles and red squirrels are among those affected, as invasive predators and plants disrupt fragile environments on land and in freshwater and marine settings.
Globally, invasive species have been linked to 60 per cent of recorded extinctions on islands, underlining the scale of the challenge.
The economic cost is also significant, with invasive species estimated to cost Scotland at least £500 million each year.
Agriculture, forestry, tourism and construction are among the sectors affected, alongside increased risks to human, animal and plant health through the spread of disease.
The new plan aims to reduce the rate of new and established invasive species by at least 50 per cent compared to 2000 levels, while targeting priority areas such as islands for eradication and control.
Climate change is expected to intensify the problem, creating conditions that allow invasive species to spread more easily while placing additional pressure on native wildlife.
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said tackling the issue is essential to protecting Scotland’s natural environment.
“Invasive non native species are one of the five most important direct drivers of biodiversity loss in Scotland.
“Our action plan will set out the steps needed to control and eradicate them while protecting our land, freshwater and marine environments for the future.”
NatureScot Chair Dr Colin Galbraith said prevention remains the most effective approach.
“The priority is stopping invasive species from being introduced and spreading in the first place,” he said.
He added that public awareness and action play a vital role, from checking equipment used in water sports to avoiding planting invasive species in gardens.
A range of projects are already underway across Scotland, including efforts to remove stoats from Orkney, mink from the Outer Hebrides and invasive plants from west coast rainforests.
These initiatives, alongside national campaigns such as Check Clean Dry and Be Plant Wise, aim to involve communities, land managers and volunteers in tackling the issue.
NatureScot says coordinated action and stronger prevention measures will be key to protecting Scotland’s ecosystems in the face of growing environmental pressures.
A new national plan aims to cut invasive species by half, as Scotland steps up efforts to protect wildlife, habitats and the wider economy from a growing environmental threat.
