Globally and here in Wales, ornamental plants spreading from gardens are one of the main sources of invasive species which can – once in the wild – impact the environment, economy, our health and the way we live. Invasive species are estimated to cost the GB economy almost £2 billion each year.
Tomos Jones, Garden Escapers Project Manager at North Wales Wildlife Trust said: “Preventing invasive species is crucial because it saves us money and avoids the impacts they can have. Our research has identified a shortlist of popular garden plants which are not currently known to cause any impacts in the wild as invasive species but this could change in future. We want to know which of the target plants have escaped from gardens into nearby areas such as along pavements in urban areas or in nature reserves.”.
The mapping of the target plants in North West Wales will begin on Monday, 08 July at 09:00. Players will complete ‘missions’ to locate and record the target plants. The mobile game is open to everyone and only requires downloading the Crowdsorsa mobile game onto a smartphone (see below). Players will be paid £1 for each new observation of the target plants within the game areas near: Bangor and Porthaethwy; Bae Colwyn and Llandudno; and Penrhyndeudraeth and Porthmadog.
Toni Paju, CEO of Crowdsorsa said: "Players participate in the mission by video recording the target plants they encounter. In addition to the species and location, we will also find out the extent of the problem, as the player's GPS coordinates create an area on the map from which we can calculate its exact size”.
This marks North Wales Wildlife Trust's first attempt to engage with local residents through the Crowdsorsa mobile game. It is being promoted through the Garden Escapers project which is led by North Wales Wildlife Trust.
Examples of the target plants include Mexican fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus); Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa); and purple top (Verbena bonariensis). Tomos Jones, Garden Escapers Project Manager at North Wales Wildlife Trust adds: “Those participating in the mobile game might not find the target plants, but that in itself is interesting for us in knowing where they have not yet escaped to”.
The game areas include some of NWWT nature reserves; Chris Wynne, Senior Reserves Manager for North Wales Wildlife Trust said: “Our nature reserves are among the most important places for wildlife in North Wales. This new technology provides people with an opportunity to experience the great wildlife they offer and contribute to the new research into where ‘garden escapers’ are finding their way into the wild”.
Similar efforts will take place this summer through Crowdsorsa in nearly 40 municipalities across Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In addition to North West Wales, the concept is being tested in Kent and Gloucestershire in the UK.
