Preprint volume - SIBM

Pre-print Volume - Posters
Topic 1: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION SCIENCE: CONTRIBUTING TO MANAGEMENT
J. SEWELL, J.D.D. BISHOP, R. SEELEY
Marine Biological Association, Citadel Hill Laboratory, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK.
jase@mba.ac.uk; jbis@mba.ac.uk
THROUGH THE PORTAL ― IMPROVING THE FLOW
OF INFORMATION ON NON-NATIVE SPECIES IN GREAT BRITAIN
‘THROUGH THE PORTAL’ ― MIGLIORANDO IL FLUSSO
D’INFORMAZIONE SULLE SPECIE NON INDIGENE IN GRAN BRETAGNA
Abstract - The Great Britain Non-Native Species Information Portal (GBNNSIP) is being established to
collect and collate data on non-native species in Great Britain and make this and related information
available online. A register of all known non-native species will be generated, and supplemented by
detailed fact sheets for a sub-set of these species. Rapid reporting of new records of species will be
supported, linked to a system of alerts and risk analyses to trigger rapid responses as appropriate. The
Marine Biological Association of the UK is the GBNNSIP partner responsible for all marine non-native
species within this scheme.
Key-words: introduced species, distribution records, environment management, data collections.
Introduction - A three-year (2009-2011) project funded by the UK Department for
Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) will establish the Great Britain Non-
Native Species Information Portal (GBNNSIP). The scheme will ensure the rapid and
efficient flow of information concerning non-native species, from a wide variety of
sources, onto the Web where it will be available to researchers, environmental
managers, stakeholders and the public. The scheme is intended to allow the early
recognition of potential threats to environmental and economic interests in Great
Britain (GB) and to promote rapid response to new arrivals. It will also underpin the
regular updating of a new index of environmental health based on the status of invasive
non-native species in GB. In general, the data will be stored by the National
Biodiversity Network (NBN) but accessed via the Web site of the GB Non-Native
Species Secretariat (NNSS). Marine species data will be permanently and securely
archived in the Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats (DASSH). The
GBNNSIP covers both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, with the Marine Biological
Association (MBA) having responsibility for all marine taxa. The various components
of the general scheme are outlined below, followed by a listing of the MBA’s
responsibilities.
Components of GBNNSIP
Register of non-native species. This will provide basic information on all recognised
non-native species, including: habitat, ecological role, region of origin, pathway of
introduction, status in England, Scotland and Wales respectively, ecological and human
impact, site and date of first occurrence, and key references. The register will update
and build on the GB species list produced for the European DAISIE project.
Species factsheets. The sheets will provide relatively detailed information on species’
ecology, pathways of introduction, management, and any relevant legislation, with
links to appropriate risk assessments, identification information and images, plus
information on any researchers or managers involved with a particular taxon.
Factsheets will be available online, through the NNSS website.
41 st S.I.B.M. CONGRESS Rapallo (GE), 7-11 June 2010
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