10 Things to Know About (Series 2): Invasive Species

Invasive species are a threat to the planet’s environment and biodiversity, wreaking havoc on a country’s native flora and fauna, so what is Irish science doing to stop the aliens invading Ireland? Jonathan puts on his night vision goggles to stalk Muntjac Deer, the little Bambis with an ASBO who are wreaking havoc on our environment and are being blamed for thousands of road accidents in the UK. With the first sightings of Muntjac reported in Ireland earlier this year, Prof Jaimie Dick from Queen’s University Belfast is trying to take decisive action before they overwhelm the whole island… but their approach is not without its own controversy! Kathriona takes to the waters of Lough Key to see how Dr Frances Lucy and her team of IT Sligo researchers are making impressive breakthroughs in ridding our waterways of Asian Clams and Zebra Mussels which have the ability to alter the food web and compete with native species. Chalara Disease (Ash Dieback) is a serious threat to our native Ash