This week In Your Nature focuses on the topic of invasive species, looking specifically at two new kids on the block, the Quagga Mussel and the Alpine Newt*, two recently discovered unwelcome colonisers!
Ricky speaks to alien invasive species expert Dr. Jan-Robert Baars, Lecturer and Assistant Professor at the School of Biology and Environmental Sciences at University College Dublin (UCD). Jan is an expert in the field with particular interest in invasion biology. Jan’s work together with colleagues in UCD and the Herpetological Society of Ireland have been monitoring Quagga Mussels and Alpines Newts since they’ve established and now appear to be thriving here in Ireland.
The Rose-ringed Parakeet is our Bird of the Week, a charismatic yet invasive species now gaining a foothold in Dublin and some of our other urban centres.
Learn more about the species featured in this episode at the links below...
- Quagga Mussel
- Alpine Newt
*The Alpine Newt is not currently recognised as an alien invasive species in Ireland. More here.
In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.
In Your Nature Ep 09 - Questions Children Ask (Cruinniú na nÓg Special)
In Your Nature Ep 08 - The Shannon Callows
In Your Nature Ep 07 - Swifts
In Your Nature Ep 06 - Wildflowers
In Your Nature Ep 05 - Bogs
In Your Nature Ep 04 - Buzzards
In Your Nature Ep 03 - Nest Boxes
In Your Nature Ep 02 - Dawn Chorus
In Your Nature Ep 01 - Birds in Lockdown
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