Invading Norway in the billions through imported garden plants

Jørn J. Fremstad

2024-11-18T07:33:00.0000000 2024-11-25T16:27:03.5200000

Thuja, belonging to the Cupressaceae (cypress family) is one of the imported garden plants bringing the most stowaways to Norway. Here, two Rhaphigaster nebulosa are brought along. Photo credit: Anders Endrestøl, NINA

Invasive species are considered one of the five most important drivers of global biodiversity loss, a threat growing at an unprecedented rate. The ecological and socioeconomic costs are dramatic, with a global economic cost exceeding $423 billion annually in 2019.   

Early detection is key

Eradication measures are often expensive, and their success and cost effectiveness rely heavily on early detection and rapid response, says Research Director Jørgen Rosvold at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).

Commissioned by the Norwegian Government, NINA is monitoring and assessing risks associated with the introduction of alien species via garden plant imports to Norway. The results of 10 years of monitoring is now summarized.

The import of plant products to Norway over the last 30 years has increased greately, and more than 20 000 metric tons of garden plants were imported in 2023 alone. Both soil and plant material have been subjected to analyses by NINA experts.

700 kilograms of soil containing 850 000 insects

More than 700 kilograms of soil have been analyzed in the period 2014-2023, showing large amounts of germinating seeds, insects and other invertebrates introduced to the country as stowaways.

As many as 857 199 insects have been identified and assessed according to the Norwegian Invasive Species List. At least 65 of the 764 species detected in either soil, foliage or flying in between plants do not belong in Norway. NINA experts also identified and assessed 35 913 vascular plants, of which 39 species were alien to Norway.

Estimates gave answers in the billions

Random samples made by the experts add up to only 0.0001 percent of the total volume of garden plants imported during the monitoring period.

Based on the samples, however, we have estimated imports of 800 million germinating seeds and 1.9 billion insects and other invertebrates annually along with garden plants, explains senior researcher Marie Davey at NINA. 

Detects alien species in Norwegian ecosystems

NINA also runs a program to detect and report alien species at an early stage in the wild.  Experts have mapped plants and insects at 90 locations around the Oslofjord, chosen because of being a hotspot for alien species.

We have found 24 species listed on the Norwegian Invasive Species List through this monitoring. Several of them are insects and other invertebrates that have not previously been recorded in Norwegian nature, says Davey.

Call for earlier warning

We have a unique opportunity to follow the invasion process through our monitoring programs. Ideally, we would like to be able to report new alien species detections immediately so that measures can be implemented with the aim of halting a possible invasion. In this way, major negative impacts on nature and society can be prevented, says Rosvold.

As an important step, NINA therefore recommends intensifying sampling of garden plant imports, in order to provide more accurate estimates. The experts also recommend using environmental DNA for a more precise mapping of possible alien species.

Read the report here (Summary in English): Davey, M.L., Westergaard, K.B., Endrestøl, A., Fossøy, F., Hanssen, O., Brandsegg, H., Laugsand, A.E., Opsahl, N.N., Dahle, S., Andersskog, I.P.Ø., Staverløkk, A., Åström, J. 2024. Monitoring the invasion pathway of imported horticultural plants. Basic monitoring 2023 and a ten year summary of results. NINA Rapport 2484. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research.

Learn more about the monitoring of garden plant import here

Contact: Jørgen Rosvold

NINA opens Centre for Biodiversity Genetics

Jan Arne Stokmo

2022-10-25T13:07:00.0000000 2022-10-25T14:53:35.6400000

The official opening of NINAGEN was carried out by State Secretary Aleksander Øren Heen from the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Present at the opening were many of the users of NINA's genetic laboratory services.

Strengthens nature monitoring

All living things have their own unique DNA profile and access to these ‘biological nametags’ opens up a new world of possibilities for efficiently gathering knowledge about individuals, species and ecosystems. Genetic analyses have become an increasingly important part of contemporary nature management and NINA has a long track record of suppling genetic data and its conclusion to government and industry.

– DNA analyses have become a key tool in natural resource management and assignments from the government and other institutions are only increasing. Today we are opening a new, modern laboratory and establishing a new centre of competence to meet this growing demand, says Norunn S. Myklebust, managing director of NINA.

DNA has many uses

NINAGEN delivers genetic services to many areas of nature management. For example, DNA analyses are used when monitoring populations of Scandinavian carnivores, including brown bears, wolverines, wolves and golden eagles.

NINAGEN also uses DNA to monitor the condition of wild salmonid fishes in Norway and for example to quantify the degree of hybridization between wild and farmed salmon in Norwegian rivers.

With Environmental DNA, NINAGEN can simultaneously identify the presence of hundreds of species from only a small sample of water or soil. This methodology can also be used to assess the diets of individual animals via genetic analysis of fecal samples.

– New applications for the use of DNA in monitoring and research are continually emerging, and among others, have been implemented by NINAGEN staff in the management of deer, salamander, insect and plant populations. NINA stands at the cutting edge of this work, says Myklebust.

NINAGEN – a national centre of competence

The Centre for Biodiversity Genetics in Trondheim consists of several geneticists and researchers from various disciplines. Together with a team of experienced laboratory technicians, the centre forms a unique research platform, which can deliver a broad portfolio of genetic analyses. This capability is strengthened by a close collaboration with NINA's many ecologists and taxonomic specialists.

The centre provides services across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, and in organism groups ranging from insects and plants to birds and mammals.

Genetic diversity is very important

– Genetic variation is a key part of biological diversity and is critical for the survival and adaptation of all species. This is more relevant than ever given the rapid pace of environmental change that is unfolding around the world. In this respect, NINAGEN will work efficiently to meet the increasing demand for genetic services, says Frode Fossøy, senior researcher at NINA.

For a research field that is constantly advancing due to technological development, NINAGEN will ensure that contemporary knowledge and methodology are efficiently implemented in Norwegian natural resource management.

Read more about NINAGEN on our new website (link)

Contact persons in NINA: 

Norunn S. Myklebust, managing director of NINA
Jonas Kindberg, head of Rovdata 
Frode Fossøy, senior researcher at NINA

Norwegian-Russian cooperation aims to stop the spread of alien species to the Arctic

Jan Arne Stokmo

2021-04-20T13:10:00.0000000 2021-06-30T14:51:09.3600000

The main message for travelers to Arctic regions is that they should brush, hoover and wash clothes, shoes, luggage and equipment before they start their journey. Fishing equipment should be disinfected. Such simple measures will protect the vulnerable plant and wildlife in arctic regions.

The campaign is launched this year in northwest Russia after being tested on travelers to Svalbard in a pilot project in 2018-2019. It is also now expanding to Iceland and Greenland.

Serious threat to species

"Alien species are a threat to biodiversity globally, but also in the Arctic. Our goal is to inform travelers that they can easily help reduce this problem. Seeds can get stuck on mountain shoes, parasites can follow fishing gear and so on. With simple measures, the dispersion of such stowaways can be avoided, explains Jørn Thomassen, head of the project in the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).

NINA is leading the campaign in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency in Sweden. For the launch in Russia, The National Park Russian Arctic (NPRA) is the central partner.

Will raise awareness of travelers

Alien species are species that have come to an area where they naturally do not belong, due to human activity. They are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity globally. Many people are unaware that they can unconsciously carry alien species to the vulnerable natural areas. This is what the campaign is going to do something with.

"Alien species can establish themselves and displace local species, and also threaten entire ecosystems. Climate change increases the chance of unwanted species gaining a foothold in the Arctic, Thomassen warns.

Collaboration with the tourism industry

In order for the campaign to succeed, we depend on good cooperation with tour operators, airlines, governments and more. The pilot project in Svalbard showed that the industries themselves took responsibility and were a crucial piece in reaching out to the travelers.

In Russia, the authorities and Russian tour operators carrying guests and workers to Arctic parts of Russia are also involved.

Uses animation film

An important part of the campaign consists of a two-minute animation film in which a speaking polar bear examines various travelers for alien species.

The film and accompanying website is translated into Russian and is meant to convince Russian-speaking travelers to take steps to stop the spread of alien species. The film is also subtitled in 13 languages for use in other parts of the Arctic.

Joint efforts

The campaign in northwest Russia is funded by the Ministry of Climate and Environment in Norway through the environmental cooperation programme with Russia.

For more information on the problem of alien species in the Arctic and measures to stop the spread of them on www.stoparcticaliens.com.

On behalf of the Norwegian Environment Agency, NINA has produced a report showing the status of mapping and monitoring of foreign species in the Arctic and recommended measures for further mapping and monitoring. The report from NINA (in Norwegian) can be read here.

Contacts:

NINA: Jørn Thomassen

NINA: Inga Elise Bruteig

NINA: Kristine Bakke Westergaard

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Finland): Johanna Niemivuo-Lahti 

Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: Melanie Josefsson 

National Park Russian Arctic: Ivan Mizin

More about invasive species: Aliens in the Arctic (podcast)

Facts:

• Alien species are a global threat to biodiversity.
• Plant and wildlife in the Arctic is particularly vulnerable to intruders from outside.
• Travelers to arctic regions can carry seeds, insects and parasites on clothes, equipment and luggage to the Arctic without knowing it.
• The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland have therefore made a film to raise awareness of the problem.
• The information campaign and film will now also be spread in northwest Russia.
• The main message is that you can help protect the vulnerable nature of the Arctic by taking some simple measures.
• The main measures are brushing, hovering and washing clothes, shoes, luggage and equipment before departure. Fishing equipment should be disinfected.
• The film is produced by the Trondheim-based company Klipp og lim, and is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Norwegian Environment Agency and the Governor of Svalbard.