Managing invasive introduced plants in Great Britain

Abstract

The British love of gardening has resulted in a rich variety of exotic pond and garden plants that are becoming established in the wild throughout the UK. These plants can have a variety of social, economic and environmental impacts. Some of these species, such as Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica and Himalayan balsam Impatiens glandulifera were introduced in the mid-nineteenth century and are now widespread across Great Britain. Other species, such as water primrose Ludwigia grandiflora have only been available in cultivation relatively recently and are only just beginning to become established. Our strategy recognises that preventing these invasions, by public education and restricting the supply of invasive species, provides the most cost-effective means of management. If species do begin to become established in the wild, early intervention will minimise cost and damage.