Non-Native Invasive Species

Along with climate change and habitat loss, non-native invasive species are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity in the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape, the rest of the UK and globally.

The direct costs of non-native invasive species have been estimated to be approximately 5% of global GDP* with an estimated cost of £1.8 billion per year to the UK economy**.

Non-native invasive species are causing problems for wildlife and people in the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape in the following ways:

1. They out-compete native species
2. They directly predate on native species
3. They bring disease
4. They damage habitats and infrastructure
5. They cause huge socio-economic costs

There are a number of non-native invasive species that are a cause for concern in the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape.

They have been particularly problematic in freshwater, coastal and estuarine habitats. Find out more about the most problematic species.