Invasive alien species in Switzerland - Schweizer ...

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An inventory of alien species and their threat to biodiversity and economy in Switzerland FOEN 2006 42 different biologies of the species, which include small rodents, large herbivores and carnivores. Five species are of Asian origin (four from eastern Asia and one from western Asia), four from the New World (one of those from South America), and one is Mediterranean. The pathways of their introductions reveal a clear pattern, which is generally true for introduced mammals: they were deliberately introduced into Europe. Only one species arrived as a stowaway animal in cargo, ships and other vehicles – the ubiquitous brown rat. The majority of the species are fur animals which were released and escaped from farms (four species); the two large ungulates were released to enrich the hunting fauna, one was used as a food resource and the other to enrich the fauna and for aesthetic reasons. One other interesting aspect is how the species arrived in Switzerland. The pathway analysis presented above shows how the species were transported into Europe. Only four of the ten species in Table 2.1 were actually introduced directly into Switzerland. The most (potentially) damaging species have spread into Switzerland from an introduction elsewhere in Europe, mainly Germany and France. This highlights the importance of international dialogue and collaboration on IAS issues. Some of the most destructive alien species on a global scale are mammals (Long, 2003). Although the number of introduced species is fairly small in comparison to other groups, the impact is considered to be enormous, especially in island ecosystems. The large herbivores cause a major impact on plants because of their size and the amount they eat, while small carnivores (e.g. Mustelidae) and omnivorous mammals (e.g. Muridae) are intelligent and adaptable species, which are able to prey on a varied diet and can thrive in close proximity to humans. The latter trait facilitates their wide spread by human-mediated transport. The potential impacts of mammalian neozoa in Switzerland are discussed in the species descriptions and the Fact Sheets. Fact Sheets are provided for the five species which are likely to cause some impact. There is no obvious general pattern, besides the fact that the small mammals have had the highest impact through predation on native species and damage to human constructions, including waterways. The date of introduction and perceived impact show no correlation, since the potential for impact rather than the actual impact in Switzerland is used. Thus, the grey squirrel, which has not yet been found in Switzerland, is one of the species of concern. On the other hand, the two species introduced in the 19 th century comprise one highly damaging species and one which is now almost extinct. The small number of introduced species means that general patterns observed in larger data pools are unlikely to be replicated, due to chance. There are about 86 mammal species currently reproducing in Switzerland, of which nine are neozoa (coypu included), thus about 10 % are introduced. When the list of species is compared to those of the neighbouring countries Austria and Germany, there is a high overlap in species composition (Englisch, 2002; Geiter et al., 2002). The total number is a little smaller (Austria: 11; Germany: 11); the most obvious difference is the absence of fallow deer (Cervus dama (L.)) and mink (Mustela vison Schreber), both
2 > Vertebrates – Vertebrata 43 established in the other two countries. Gibb and Flux (1973) list twice as many introduced mammals to New Zealand, i.e. 25, and the damage they cause is enormous, since the islands had only two native mammal species (both bats). The niches occupied elsewhere by terrestrial mammals were occupied in New Zealand by native bird species. The management options for the species are discussed in the text on individual species, above. The invasive or potentially invasive species are very difficult targets for eradication and control. The same traits that make them successful in the invasion process renders them difficult to control, e.g. adaptability and a high fecundity. Tab. 2.1 > Established alien mammals in Switzerland. Scientific name Oryctolagus cuniculus (L., 1758) Tamias sibiricus (Laxmann, 1769) Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin, 1788 Ondatra zibethicus (L., 1766) Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout, 1769) Procyon lotor (L. 1758) Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray, 1834 Cervus nippon Temminck, 1836 Ovis orientalis musimon Gmelin, 1774 Family Origin Year Pathway Impact Note Leporidae Iberian Peninsula 19th century Sciuridae Asian 1975? Escaped and released to establish population from pet lovers Sciuridae Eastern North America Released for food Alteration of plant succession Agricultural pest - Released for aesthetic reasons Arvicolidae North America 1935 Escaped from fur farms and released to provide wild fur harvest Capromyidae South America - Escaped from fur farms and released to provide wild fur harvest Muridae Southeast Russia and northern China Procyonidae North and Central America 19 th century Transported inadvertently in ships and other vehicles 1976 Releases as a fur animal and to enrich the fauna Escapees from captivity Canidae East Asia 2003 Acclimatization as a fur animal Cervidae South-eastern Russia, eastern China, Japan and Korea 1941 Released for sport hunting and for conservation of the species Bovidae Western Asia 1985? Released as a game animal Great damage to grain crops and forest nut production in its native area Replaces the native red squirrel Stripping bark of trees can cause damage in plantations Dramatic economic costs due to damage to waterways Predation on native mussel populations Damage to crops by feeding and water banks by burrowing Transmission of human diseases High control costs Damage to crops and structures Predator of invertebrates and vertebrates, with a possible impact through bird nest predation Nuisance in urban areas Problem in orchards? Vector of diseases Predator of vertebrates Vector of diseases Serious forest pest Hybridization with red deer (everywhere?) The species does not thrive in Switzerland due to the cold winters Only small local population in parks in Genève This species is not yet found in Switzerland, but is rapidly spreading in Italy Effective control options should be considered A permanent establishment seems unlikely because of harsh winters Generally, urban populations are controlled It will spread through the entire Mittelland within the next few years/decades It is only currently spreading into Switzerland from Germany and France Only one restricted population in Switzerland Local competition with chamois Only a small population in the lower Valais
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