Invasive Species | 台北市立動物園資訊網

Rhododendron(Rhododendronponticum)isperhapsthemosttroublesomeoftheinvasiveplantspeciesthataffectourforests.Itisnativetothewesternand ...

Invasive non-native species introduced into Ireland are of increasing concern to ecologists, land managers and fishery biologists. Introduced species and genetic material can have a major impact on biodiversity.  When non-native species become invasive they can transform ecosystems, and threaten native and endangered species.

The number of alien species that currently affect Irish forests are relatively few but their impact can be locally very significant.

PLANTS

Rhododendron

Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) is perhaps the most troublesome of the invasive plant species that affect our forests. It is native to the western and eastern Mediterranean i.e. Spain, Portugal and Turkey and also occurs eastwards through Asia into China. It was first introduced in the late 18th Century and became popular on country estates in Victorian times for its ornamental value, as well as cover for game birds.