Invasive species (neobiota) are on the rise. In the article you will find a definition and a list of invasive species living in Germany.
Plants and animals have always opened up new habitats for themselves during the long history of the earth. Under natural conditions, however, this happens very slowly and a dominant ecosystem can usually “accustom” itself to the new species accordingly. Now the human comes into play. Previously insurmountable borders (like the Atlantic Ocean) were overcome with ships and animals suddenly found themselves in places without natural enemies. Due to trade and globalization, a daily exchange of goods takes place, which always involves the risk that unwanted plant seeds or animals are also included in the freight. All of these man-made bridges are causing major problems in native ecosystems around the world. When an ecosystem is thrown off balance because of an alien species, there is often a loss of biological diversity. In other words: several native species have to give way to a foreign species. Today, for example, it is assumed that 13,000 plant species alone were introduced by humans.
Definition: Invasive Species & Neobiota
- An alien species is invasive if the appearance of the new species causes undesirable effects. For example, an invasive species can affect a biotope or ecosystem in such a way that native species can no longer live or find food there.
- The euphonious term Neobiota does not assess whether an alien species is invasive, i.e. harmful. The word only provides information that the affected species was introduced by humans.
List of invasive species in Germany
To get straight to the point: there are many hundreds of neobiota in Germany. However, of these, only about 10% are truly invasive. So it cannot be said in general that all introduced species are harmfulare.
Top 5 invasive animals in Germany
- Horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella): Since the late 1990s, the dreaded leaf miner has been spreading from southern Europe to the north of the continent. Since then, many horse chestnuts in Germany have been affected by the plague. The small larvae bore mines into the chestnut leaves and this can turn the entire leaf stand brown in summer. Local hunters and birds have not really gotten used to the taste, which means that the moth, which specializes in horse chestnuts, can spread almost unhindered.
- Box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis): A recently introduced invasive species is the box tree moth. The moth, which is native to East Asia, probably came to Germany in 2006 via international trade. Not only the box trees in the local gardens are endangered by the voracious caterpillars. The last natural box forests in Germany are also severely threatened by the presence of the new pest.
- Drosophila suzukii: The spotted drosophila, which is native to Southeast Asia, is not only a huge problem for fruit growers and hobby gardeners in Germany. Due to their way of life and the extremely high reproduction rate, some harvests in Europe have been almost completely destroyed. Since the spotted-wing drosophila only infests ripe fruit, it is no longer possible to use sprays. It is very likely that the small fly made its way to Europe around 2008 through infested fruit.
- Camber Crayfish (Orconectes limosus): A particularly great threat to our native crayfish is the North American crayfish. It transmits the crayfish plague, deadly to other crayfish, to which it is immune. In many areas, the American crayfish has already displaced the original species. The crabs were introduced around 1890 by a Prussian chamberlain who was also a fisherman.
- North American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana): From the 80s, the stately frog was supposed to decorate domestic ponds and was also sold for it. However, the frog, which originates from North America, is a real threat to our small frog species. The giant bullfrog competes with native frogs for food, with native species often losing out.
Top 5 invasive plants in Germany:
- Red Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea): This is a popular carnivorous plant. Originally distributed from southern New Jersey to northeast Florida, the plant is still popular as a decorative houseplant. Many years ago, the moor plant was deliberately planted in various German moors, where it developed magnificently and today accounts for up to 50% of the vegetation. Since peatlands are particularly sensitive ecosystems, there is a risk that native species of the pitcher plant will have to give way.
- Large algal fern (Azolla filiculoides): The original range of the invasive fern extends from Canada to northern South America. Initially, the plant mainly adorned botanical gardens in this country. In the meantime, however, the floating leaf plant is present in almost all federal states and is displacing the native and highly endangered floating fern.
- Nadelkraut (Crassula helmsii): The Nadelkraut also came to Germany via a botanical garden. The home of the water-loving plant is in Australia and New Zealand. Due to its strong growth, the invasive herb quickly displaces native aquatic plants and the crested newt also avoids areas with the needleweed.
- Brunograss (Cynodon dactylon): This unwelcome sweet grass was also imported unintentionally. The first grasses were found in Germany as early as 1712. Bermuda grass endangers native grass species and is the winter host for a plant virus that affects corn plants.
- Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum): The beautiful umbelliferae probably came to Germany from the Caucasus as an ornamental plant. The widespread herb has a negative impact on many native species on fallow grassland and crowds them out. In addition, Giant Bear Claw contains a toxin that irritates skin when exposed to sunlight.
The box tree moth is one of the most invasive animal species in Germany. Here you will find everything you need to know about the annoying pest.