Invasive Non Native Species (INNS SBRI)

Descriptions

Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) have a major detrimental impact on native flora and fauna, commercial fisheries and cause other ecosystem impacts including destabilising flood-banks and increased sediment loading for example. They directly affect people’s economic well-being and quality of life by fouling intakes and interrupting production, damaging flood banks and increasing flood risk, causing property and development blight, affecting commercial fisheries and preventing people from enjoying recreational activities by restricting access to paths or riverbanks for example.We have limited knowledge about how best to maximise the regeneration of indigenous species following INNS control and we need effective tools or techniques to stimulate and maximise natural regeneration and help rehabilitate affected ecosystems and habitats. This is a shared need for all the other GB countries and similarly across Europe and elsewhere.Natural Resources Wales have developed a challenge which aims to counter the spread of invasives. This is a two pronged approach looking for solutions to the challenge as further explained below;We are also in need of solutions (effective tools or techniques) to detect, remove or restrict the spread of target organisms which can be easily applied, are cost effective and have minimal environmental impact. The need for these tools or techniques applies to a range of sites including, rivers, river banks, lakes and estuaries as well as associated assets and structures e.g. flood defences, moorings, weirs etc.We would also like to see these tools or techniques being developed and used to help prevent new INNS from colonising riverbanks, waterways or other key sites.We need solutions (technologies, tools or techniques) that can be easily and cheaply applied to help maximise natural regeneration following chemical, mechanical or biological INNS control measures. This is relevant to any INNS but particularly for invasive plants such as Himalayan balsam or Japanese knotweed which, following treatment, may result in widespread areas remaining ‘denuded’ of plants. Improving soil health following INNS plant treatment would for example help a riverbank quickly regenerate with native plants with the associated benefits of stabilising the bare soil, reducing sediment run-off, improving the visual appeal of a local area and reduce the risk of re-infestation by an INNS or possible development of a ‘mono-culture’ by another plant species.Stage One Application Pack Available from Sell2Wales from 12th December 2014, briefing event 23rd December 2014 10am – 1pm Holiday Inn, Newport, Gwent, closing date 5th January 2015 midday via email only.For further information please contact;Richard Hancox, Natural Resources Wales Project Manager for SBRIEmail; richard.hancox@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.ukTelephone;(03000) 654302NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at http://www.sell2wales.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=20248.