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Non-native species
Non-native species are species, subspecies or lower taxonomic unit introduced outside its ordinary former or current habitat. This definition also includes such parts, gametes, seeds, eggs or other propagules of such species that can produce offspring.
According to recommendation by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) the notion of non-native species should include only such species that occur outside their natural range and where they could not have arrived without intentional or unintentional human intermediation.
Ever-increasing globalisation has remarkably encouraged the spread of non-native species during recent century.
Invasive or introduced species are non-native species which, by either intentional or unintentional human intermediation, settle in new natural and semi-natural habitats, extend their territory and may endanger the range and abundance of natural species by their presence, but also have major impact on former structure and balance of the community as well as on the substance and energy circulation in the food chain.
Majority of the non-native species introduced by human intermediation cannot survive under new circumstances and are therefore no threat to local ecosystem. About one tenth of immigrants reach naturalisation and one tenth of them become invasive, and thus pose a threat to local natural environment. You will find a link to more detailed discussion of invasive species below.
The Nature Conservation Act prohibits introducing live specimens of non-native species in the wild, and to plant or sow non-native plants in the wild.
Baltic Sea Alien Species Database
Estonian alien species database
North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species
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