American Mink Economic Effects

Many non-native species have been brought into the UK over the years; some were deliberate introductions for a multiple of purposes such as Biological control, pasture and genotype improvement, pet trade, leisure activities like gardening, economic gain and hunting. One of the most famous examples of a foreign species being brought in for profit is the American Mink (Neovison vison), which was introduced into the UK in the 1950’s as part of the fur trade. However there are also instances of accidental infiltrations of non-native species such as rodents via ships. This does not take away from the fact that trade has been the main instigator in the “increased homogenization of the world’s biota” (Clout & Williams 2009). This is not just the result …show more content…
The contribution of nutrition to a society through the form of new food crops is a positive; it also has an economic benefit, which is where alien species make a profit. Such as when Coypu (Myocastor coypus), American Mink (Neovison vison) and Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) were first introduced for the fur industry. This is unusual as invasive species often have a detrimental effect on the economy. An economic impact is considered any impact on an ecosystem or ecosystem services, It can involve the costs of losses and damages that are caused by the pest species itself, as well as the costs of trying to control the invasive species. It has been estimated that non-native species cost the UK £2 billion annually, with the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) causing the largest impact costs. £263 million and £179 million respectively. Of course we cannot be completely accurate in establishing the full economic impact of invasive species but from the levels that have been estimated it is clearly a significant …show more content…
The most famous example is the American Mink (Neovison vison). It is one of the five species of non-native mammals that have become established in feral populations. American mink were introduced for their uses in fur farming and, as a result of escapes and their intentional release in Russia and other countries, the species is now naturalised in many parts of Europe and the occupy over 50% of Scotland (BONESI and PALAZON, 2007). Mink have been preying on native species since it’s introduction in the 1950’s and has been responsible for the decline of Moorhens (Gallinula chloropus), Water Voles (Arvicola amphibius), Coots (Fulica atra) and various other nesting birds. Mink are particularly successful as they mainly target the chicks, from (Pimentel, and Pimentel, 2002) the stats state that Minks will take between 30 to 51% of adult Coots and 50 to 85% of the broods with similar stats for Moorhens. The impacts to coastal ground nesting birds have been greatest on islands. When the Minks gain access to these smaller colonies, 200 pairs or less, of Terns or Gulls, it is rare for any chicks to fledge. Studies from 1989 to 1995 have shown that Mink predation has caused large spread colonial failures of Black-Headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus), Common Gulls (Larus canus) and Common Turns (Sterna hirundo) on small islands of the west coast of Scotland

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