The importance of authoritative bodies surrounding "invasive" non-native plants
No matter what the industry, there’s always at least one organisation who stands at the front, being a source of knowledge, providing peace of mind, and searching for new exciting developments.
For the ‘invasive non-native species’ (INNS) industry, what is pleasing is that not only do we have organisations like CABI, or The Non-native Species Secretariat, and the PCA to share online resources; but also many companies working within the industry researching new ways for the industry to move forward.
Whether that be through the development of insurance backed management plans for Japanese knotweed to support housing transactions, to CABI who lead the way with research papers backed by DEFRA themselves…The importance of authoritative bodies who serve as central hubs in supplying guidance for the control of INNS cannot be overstated.
The Scale Of The Problem
Simply understanding the scale of the problem when battling INNS is often a task underestimated by many but it highlights the importance of having a wide variety of professionals, grouping together forming organisations, each bringing their own expertise to the table. To demonstrate this scale, Plant Atlas 2020 shows a sharp decline in the UK’s natural biodiversity, with a staggering stat of over 50% of flora now being non-native. A new study released by CABI, has estimated its costs £4 billion per year to manage INNS within the UK, with the infamous Japanese Knotweed, costing the UK economy £246.5 million alone.
Overall it’s a scale which is heavily tipped, and will only increase if we do not continue to educate about the importance of controlling INNS...and this is where (along with many other areas) Authoritative bodies come in.
Helping overcome the scale of the problem
Authoritative organisations speak from a voice of reason, knowledge and experience forming a symbiotic relationship while helping to band together experts, scientists, conservationists, policymakers and local communities to devise comprehensive strategies that consider the social, economic, and ecological aspects of INNS management.
As each organisation(s) brings out a new scientific study, new method of remediation or new data encouraging responsible INNS management; it creates an unintentional ripple prompting readers to conduct their own research within the online libraries of other reputable sources. Surely…that can only be a ‘good thing’.
The scourge of misguided information
Sadly however, as much as Authoritative bodies try to give well meaning and informative guidance; it can often we manipulated or taken out of context through picking apart facts and regurgitating them in an almost unrecognisable format. These regurgitated “facts” form snippets of online news articles which are sewn together intricately to ensure it promotes some type of reaction. This again however, is where authoritative organisations have an important role to play to ensure good guidance is communicated and myths are busted!
Today’s Industry
Today, the professionals have demonstrated proven strategies in controlling and eradicating INNS, through years of research, scientific studies and hands on practical experience. To a large degree, we have the authoritative bodies such as CABI, NNSS, Amenity Forum and the PCA and the many members of these Association to thank for that.
Despite very little funding provided, we wager within a battle against these invasive invaders offering guidance for companies, homeowners and much more to reclaim riverbanks lost to Himalayan Balsam, hillsides to Giant Hogweed or brick and mortar to Buddleia.
Industry leading training in the management of Japanese Knotweed, tight scrutiny and professionalism behind the safe usage herbicides by the Amenity Forum or revolutionary research produced by CABI. Not bad for a self-built industry full of extremely knowledgeable, and resourceful contractors, who continually add to the shared pool of knowledge of INNS management.
The same organisations and their members who sit in front of parliamentary debates, offer guidance for retracted EA documents, or help create industry standards, keeping our eyes are fixed on ensuring our native flora does not completely disappear.
What It All Means
These logos, stamps of approval, accreditations, mean more than being an approved contractor. They symbolise professionalism, knowledge, and an understanding much wider than the problem at hand.
It allows us to take our industry knowledge and create a link between established strategies of propagule management, adapting them to new rising threats. This could give experts an opportunity to exploit a chink in the armour of some INNS. An opportunity for the aforementioned organisations and more, to continually contribute, educate and raise awareness on the importance of controlling INNS, helping to reduce the devastating effect on the UK environmental and economic systems.