How would we tackle an alien invasion?

 Scottish government minister combats extraterrestrial invasion

Scottish Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment Mairi Gougeon participated in volunteer projects to combat American mink and gigantic hogweed to mark the beginning of National Invasive Species Week (May 13–17).

The Scottish Invading Species Initiative brought Ms. Gougeon to the River Esk near Brechin so she could learn more about the problems and effects of invasive non-native species as well as the measures being taken to manage them.

As part of the initiative last year, 342 volunteers treated 736 km of gigantic hogweed, and 195 volunteers assisted with the monitoring of mink rafts.

An invasive non-native animal called mink feeds on native mammals including water voles, fish, and birds that build their nests on the ground. 

With an 88% reduction in water vole populations in Great Britain throughout the 1990s, the impact of American mink on water voles in particular has been devastating. 

Water voles are beginning to recolonize places like parts of the Angus Glens now that mink populations have been brought under control.

The poisonous sap of gigantic hogweed can occasionally result in serious burns and blisters on exposed skin. The mature plant may grow up to 5 meters tall and has enormous leaves that block sunlight from reaching the native plants below. More than £250 million is thought to be the total annual cost of invasive non-native species to Scotland.

Before wearing a protective suit to begin treating gigantic hogweed on site, Ms. Gougeon met with SISI project personnel, volunteers, and officials from the Finavon Castle Water, which is located in her area as an MSP.

"I've been particularly pleased with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative's approach and involvement in this initiative at a community level - recruiting, training, and outfitting volunteers and working directly with community groups and local landowners," Ms. Gougeon said.

The good news is that these individuals and organizations will be able to continue the long-term work of invasive species management and control once the present four-year initiative finishes. Invasive species are one of the biggest dangers to the beauty and variety of our natural world.

"I have been helping with the program nearly since it started in my region in 2018 - it has been excellent for me," said Ross Murphy, a consistent SISI volunteer. I've really liked reconnecting with nature, meeting new people, and traveling to new places, and with the skills and credentials I've acquired, I intend to work in this field.

Together with Tony Andrews, a landowner, and Mark Purrmann-Charles, SISI Project Officer for the Esk Fisheries Board, the Minister also set up a mink monitoring raft. The rafts use clay pads to record the telltale footprints of the invasive American mink, which can then be used to catch and remove the animal from the region.

We have been pleased to collaborate with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative since it started last year, according to Mr. Andrews. We have been collaborating with local officer Mark and his volunteers to jointly eradicate the invasive plants and American mink along this river since our river keeper Iain MacMaster received training via the initiative.

Invasive Species Week will take place in the north of Scotland, and the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) project manager for Scottish Natural Heritage, Callum Sinclair, stressed the significance of spreading awareness about invasive species: 

"We will be running several events over the next week with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative river and fishery trust and board partners across the north of Scotland. These will increase public awareness of problematic plants, their effects, and what people can do to help. Better yet, they will give people many opportunities to get involved, follow the Minister's lead, and volunteer with us.

"SNH is thrilled to be able to coordinate this initiative to make a genuine impact on invasive species management control with the people of Scotland for the people of Scotland. Invasive species represent a huge threat to our rich and iconic native nature.

 

The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative is demonstrating that this work can be accomplished through a true partnership between organizations, communities, and volunteers. For instance, during our first year of operation, the volunteer effort we were able to mobilize was equal to 11 full-time employees working on the project!

With support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and under the direction of SNH, SISI is a four-year collaboration project that involves several fisheries trusts and boards from the Tay catchment in the south to the isolated catchments of North West Sutherland. 

The initiative, which spans over one-third of Scotland's 29,500 km2 and is the largest invasive species management effort in the UK, aims to eradicate a variety of exotic non-native plants, including gigantic hogweed, Japanese knotweed, American skunk cabbage, and the predatory American mink.