Introduced species

A short animation film about invasive alien species

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• published: 23 Jan 2015
• views: 4871

New version of a short animation film, published in 2011, about invasive alien species, also called invasive exotics. The film is made by Merel & Mirte Fellinger of Trick Design (http://www.trickdesign.eu) for the platform Stop invasieve exoten (Dutch association for prevention of introduction and spread of invasive exotics). Text: Wilfred Reinhold, Merel & Mirte Fellinger, translation: Jaap Knegtmans (New Zealand), narration: Anita Stegwee, music: Aestrid Byrne "The End: I am not here". Websites of the association: www.invasieve-exoten.nl, www.tijgermug.info, www.facebook.com/wilfred.reinhold and www.twitter.com/InvasieveExoten (in Dutch). A Dutch version of this film can also been seen on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K4lAJ... The spoken text: It can be an enjoyable experience to encounter exotic plants and animals in the wild. But if you consider that they arrived through human intervention, you realise that they actually don't belong here. Furthermore, are these new organisms really that beneficial to the natural environment in the Netherlands? Whether accidentally or knowingly introduced, some exotic species can spread unrestricted throughout the country, because their natural predators and competitors are absent. These "invasive exotics" can steal our food or give us a nasty bite. They can also compete for food with our native animals which can threaten their existence, particularly if they themselves are a favoured food source. Many native species cannot defend themselves against exotics with their voracious appetites. The invasive exotics take over the habitats of native species. Native birds, such as the Nuthatch, lose their usual nesting places. Early in spring time the exotic Indian ringneck parakeets have already claimed their nest holes. Invasive exotics also bring new disease risks with them to which many native animals have no natural defences.These diseases may also pose a health risk. A bite from the Asian tiger mosquito can cause dengue fever. These threats have dire consequences for the biodiversity in the Netherlands. The establishment of invasive exotics can result in a loss of species diversity. Invasive exotics hereby not only pose a threat to the native flora and fauna but also human health, social and economic values. Some exotic plants, such as common ragweed, invades crops by releasing a chemical in the soil. This plant also produces large amounts of pollen which leads to an increase in hayfever and additional medical costs. In the last 10 years more than 1000 exotic species have been accidentally or knowingly introduced to the Netherlands, which is equal to the number of species that entered during the previous 500 year period. This is a result of the ever increasing global trade, with few species intercepted at the border. In comparison to other countries, the Netherlands remains far behind in its approach to invasive species. Any action that is undertaken often occurs when it is already too late. Once invasive species have established it is difficult to eradicate them and the damage is irreversible. Currently the government only takes action to a few of the many introduced species, once they have already established and spread. This is a waste of effort. Regulating and banning some imports needs to be a priority to ensure the prevention of unwanted exotics. Trade is the largest contributor to this invasion of exotic species in our country. They hitchhike with imported products (such as bamboo plants, and wooden pallets of used tyres) but exotic species are also found elsewhere, such as the ballast water of cargo ships. If they aren't imported accidentally, then they are introduced on purpose as an exotic pet animal or an aquatic plant for the pond or aquarium. The government must respond to the hitchhiker pathways and work with industry to manage the importation of exotic plants and animals. And, to avoid the spread of exotic species already established here spreading to neighbouring countries. The Netherlands has an international responsibility. Stop invasive exotics - before it is too late! The shown invasive exotics, in order of appearance: African sacred ibis, Siberian chipmunk, Japanese rose, Brook trout, Canada goldenrod, Raccoon dog, Round goby, Rose-ringed parakeet, Reeves' muntjac, Japanese knotweed, Pumpkinseed sunfish, Chinese sleeper, House crow, Asian lady beetle, Asian tiger mosquito, Common ragweed, Pallas' squirrel, Mediterranean fruit fly, Spanish slug, Citrus longhorned beetle, Dybowski's Sika deer, Weevil, Fire ant, Jerusalem artichoke, Water cabbage, Bullfrog, Water hyacinth, Ruddy duck and Pickerel weed.