Horizon scanning and pathways analysis for invasive non-native species for Scotland’s islands, hydrological and marine regions

Description

Work Package 1 - Horizon scanning for island, hydrological and marine regions This work package will assess non-native plants and animals (terrestrial, freshwater and marine) with potentially negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are likely to be introduced to Scotland’s island, river catchments and marine regions in the next ten years. Work package 2 - Pathways analysis for Scotland’s island, river catchments and marine regions. Potential pathways of non-native species introduction into Scotland’s island, river catchments and marine regions should be compiled for a) established INNS in Scotland and b) INNS identified through the horizon scanning exercise in Work package 1. This work package should apply the pathway terminology and assessment methodology used in the previous Scottish pathways analysis (Roy & Carvalho, 2023). Pathways of introduction of INNS may operate both within Scotland and from further afield. Lot 1: A written report covering horizon scanning and pathways analysis for Scotland’s island, hydrological and marine regions, which should include the following: - A ranked list of top 30 INNS most likely to become established and have a negative impact on biodiversity within the next 10 years in each of the six island local authority regions, five hydrological regions and 11 Scottish Marine Regions (where feasible). - Prioritised list of pathways for likely introduction and spread of INNS into each of the six island local authority regions, five hydrological regions and 11 Scottish Marine Regions (where feasible) - Raw data used for the scoring and ranking of species and pathways in this project A separate written report covering horizon scanning and pathways analysis for Scotland’s islands. This report should include recommendations for future targeted actions to protect island environments and communities from biosecurity threats. This is required to fulfil the commitments set out in Scotland’s Island Plan 2026. The two written reports will be published on the Scottish Government’s website.