RACOONS AND PINK SALMON A THREAT TO UK WILDLIFE

Experts update the watchlist of invasive non-native species that could disrupt British ecosystems in the next 10 years

- James Fair

Most people are aware of invasive species such as grey squirrels and Japanese knotweed and the problems they cause. The former have almost entirely displaced native reds from England and Wales, while the latter can cause extensive damage to concrete, walls, drains and sewers.

These two nonnative species have been in Britain many decades, but there are others - such as the Asian or yellow-legged hornet - that are more recent arrivals, and then there are those that scientists fear could establish themselves in the future.