Karen Harper, LISI Manager
Invasive non-native species (INNS) are noted as the second biggest threat to biodiversity worldwide, second only to habitat destruction. They contribute significantly to the threat to biodiversity within the Greater London area. Due to the scale of the issue, it is generally acknowledged that all stakeholders ranging from land managers to researchers and the general public need to work together to ensure effective management. To aid in this, the London Invasive Species Initiative (LISI) has just completed the London Invasive Species Plan, or LISP for short.
LISI, through the LISP, aims to provide a co-ordinated approach to address INNS within the Greater London area. Generally, the action plan aims to collate current best practice INNS management principles and expert knowledge and so provide the most accurate management options available. It also aims to provide a coherent direction and a co-ordinated approach for all land mangers to work together to manage INNS within the greater London area. The LISP aims to continue this co-ordinated approach in linking larger national strategies to the smaller local on the ground practical action. The structure of Defra’s “Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain” has been incorporated into the London action plan. Actions have been broken down into stages required for effective INNS programs, including but not limited to, prevention, early detection, control, awareness raising, legislation and research.
This co-ordinated approach at both national and local levels will increase the effectiveness and sustainability of our actions. This will result in cost benefits and economies of scale, and by working together we can ensure a more sustainable INNS program which is essential for the continuation of INNS management for long term benefits.
Importantly, for the LISP to be useful and achieve the above aims it needs to provide direction; to be in a format that is easy to use and useful to the end users; and to be and remain accurate. To ensure that the LISP delivers as we hope we would appreciate comments and feedback.
The LISP can de downloaded from the LISI website. Feedback and comments can also be given via the LISI website.