Non-native species

MCCIP reported in 2006 that: warmer UK waters over the last three decades are facilitating the establishment of some non-native species in the marine environment. And in 2017 that: some established non-native species have expanded their range in the UK which may be in response to warming sea surface temperatures (e.g. Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, the alga Pikea californica and the clubbed tunicate Styela clava). And also that: despite a significant amount of research activity related to non-native species, there is no direct evidence that their introduction has been a result of climate change. What we have learned: Climate change, via warmer seas, may have contributed to the spread of some established non-native species in the UK, but human vectors (e.g. ballast water, ship hulls) are primarily responsible for their initial introduction and local conditions determine whether they will become established.