Development of the GB Non-Native Species Information Portal

The GB Non-Native Species Information Portal, hereafter referred to as “The Portal”, is an on-line information system designed to provide an overview of the non-native fauna and flora of Great Britain. The central component is a species register, comprising a list of 3792 non-native species, together with basic information about their origin, ecology and impact. This is linked to distributional data held on the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. For 300 species that are either harmful or interesting, more detailed information is supplied as factsheets. For ten species that can be recognized by the general public, there is an on-line system (RISC) for reporting occurrences. This has served as a prototype for developing rapid-reaction capability, whereby particularly harmful new arrivals can be immediately notified to the relevant bodies. Development of The Portal will be completed by autumn 2011.