Topic: 2025-Regulating Invasive Species
Country: Denmark
Delegate Name: Amari Carthron
Amari Carthron
Denmark
IUCN
Regulating Invasive Species
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Non-native species are a common aspect of many different ecosystems. Most of these species do not cause any harm to the biodiversity or stability of the already existing ecosystem that they become a part of. However, some of these species do eventually become harmful to their new environments and the native species that were originally a part of them. Invasive species are defined as species which become established in a natural or semi natural ecosystem, are an agent of change, and threaten biological diversity. They out-compete native species and cause a decrease in biodiversity which leads to more unstable ecosystems. Invasive grasses can make wildfires more common, while invasive aquatic species can make waterways untraversable, block commercial infrastructure, overtake lakes, and destroy fisheries.
Much of the invasive species of the world spread through human travel and trade. The country of Denmark has been no stranger to this issue. Denmark has reported 2,600 non-native species that are currently within the country, 77 of these species are invasive. Denmark has also reported 85 alien marine species, 4 of which are invasive. 2 of the 4 invasive species were introduced via ballast water 10 to 15 years ago. Aquatic invasive species in particular have been a huge problem in Denmark due to a lack of monitoring methods for them. Aquatic invasive species are usually reported by individuals or discovered via individual studies. There have been few centralized monitoring efforts and this has allowed aquatic invasive species, such as the Round Goby, to spread and cause an unknown amount of damage.
In order to combat this issue, a solution involving underwater robots has been developed. One of these underwater robots, the EPS (Environmental Sample Processor), was first developed in the US and it has been brought to Denmark as a method of data collection for invasive species. Along with this, the European Union has been working to combat the issue via an eradication order of over a dozen invasive species in Denmark in 2016. These species are illegal to buy or sell, but people are permitted to keep them if they are already in their possession as long as they prevent them from reproducing. Further research on and development of these robots is necessary to make them a viable solution and prepare them for widespread use. A strengthening of enforcement of the eradication order through fines or other penalties is also necessary to help control invasive species in Denmark.
Works Cited
Krull L. “Invasive species threaten marine biodiversity.” DTU, 13 Dec. 2023, https://www.dtu.dk/english/newsarchive/2023/12/invasive-species
Wenande C. “EU condemns a dozen invasive species in Denmark.” The Copenhagen Post, 3 Aug. 2016,
https://cphpost.dk/2016-08-03/news/eu-condemns-a-dozen-invasive-species-in-denmark/
