Non-native flatworms have surged in the UK, with sightings increasing from two species in the 1950s to fourteen in 2020. These flatworms pose a threat to ecosystems by preying on earthworms, which are crucial for soil health. Experts identify three invasive species, including the New Zealand and Australian flatworms, which significantly impact earthworm populations, causing broader ecological consequences such as declines in related species like moles. The rise of non-native species correlates with global trade in plants and soils, emphasizing the ongoing threats to local ecosystems.
Non-native flatworms are invading UK gardens and allotments, with their numbers rising from two species in the 1950s to 14 by 2020, severely harming earthworm populations.
These flatworms, including the New Zealand and Australian flatworms, feed on earthworms, leading to low earthworm levels and altering the entire ecosystem, affecting species like moles.
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