Global hotspots for alien invasions revealed
Great Britain is in the top 10% of areas for harbouring alien species, according to a study.Animals that have moved in from afar include the grey squirrel, rose-ringed parakeet and the noble false widow spider.The UK also has more established alien plants than elsewhere in Europe, such as Himalayan balsam.Scientists say islands and mainland coastal regions are global "hotspots" for alien species.They are calling for more effective measures to stop further introductions of plants and animals into vulnerable ecosystems."We need to be much better at trying to prevent the introduction of species that can be harmful in the first place," said Dr Wayne Dawson of Durham University, UK. "Prevention is better than cure with invasive species."Alien species are plants or animals that are non-native (o...