A major new report on the threat of exotic plants is warning that if left to their own devices, they will transform our ecosystems beyond recognition. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is now calling for the Government to lift its game in protecting native ecosystems from the thousands of exotic plants spreading across Aotearoa.
Since colonisation, more than 25,000 plant species have been introduced to New Zealand, with over 1,800 of these now surviving in the wild without human help. It's being described as a "silent invasion" by species like wild ginger, banana passionfruit, old man's beard, climbing asparagus and russell lupins. The commissioner, Simon Upton tell Susie how national leadership is needed to coordinate a response, and better monitoring and surveillance systems are required.
Lupins at Milford Sound Photo: Aneta Foubíková / Unsplash
