London, Europe Brief News – More than half of the UK’s native plants are in decline – and invasive species now outnumber native flora, a major survey of plant life suggests.
The report paints a bleak picture of how climate change is decimating local ecosystems in both countries.
According to the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI), 53 per cent of native plants and 62 per cent of ancient introductions have declined since the 1950s.
In contrast, 58 per cent of modern introductions have increased.
The Plant Atlas 2020 is the third produced by the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI). The findings are “catastrophic” for native species, explains Kevin Walker, head of science at the BSBI.
“The loss of grasslands, heathlands and other habitats would be really shocking for someone brought up in the 1950s,” he suggests.
The survey also shows evidence for the first time of how climate change is affecting plant life, Dr Walker said.
But 1,753 were non-native flora that compete with native species and can become invasive. They usually escape from gardens or are thrown away for taking up too much space, but thrive in the wild. They includes the American Skunk cabbage and Japanese Rose.
The areas where half the recorded species naturally thrive has declined since the 1950s, the survey found. Heather, Alpine Lady-fern, and Devil’s-bit Scabious have decreasing ranges.
