RISC project – new species added
Under the NBN’s contract with Defra, we launched Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC), a project to engage the public in monitoring invasive non-native species on 22nd March.
The aim of this project is to encourage the general public to observe and submit their records for a short list of invasive non-native species. This builds on the success of the Harlequin Ladybird project, which has been successful, primarily, because of the involvement of the public and volunteers in registering their sightings and which helps to gather valuable information on the distribution of the species.
The Harlequin Ladybird is only one of many non-native Species now in the UK. This project originally selected six other invasive non-natives with which to engage the public and which allows them to record their sightings online. We have now added four additional species to help us gain more valuable records.
A key aspect of the project has also been to work with national societies and schemes in terms of their involvement in the project and the suitability of the species.
The original six species included in the project are:
- Muntjac
- Water primrose
- Chinese Mitten Crab
- Tree-of-Heaven
- American Skunk Cabbage
- Zebra Mussel
The four new species are:
- Floating Pennywort
- Water Fern
- Citrus longhorn beetle
- American Bullfrog
We anticipate adding more species over time and will continue to host the online recording and all the species information on the Non Native Species Secretariat website.