Can you help to record the distribution of non – native New
Zealand flatworms?
They were first recorded in the UK in Belfast in 1963 and
near Edinburgh in 1965. They feed on earthworms and it is feared they could
reduce earthworm populations and affect soil structure. The Open Air
Laboratories (OPAL) network, led by Imperial College, London is running the
survey along with the James Hutton Institute and University of Aberdeen.
To participate you need to do a 10 minute survey, looking
under wood, stones and plastic for the flatworms. Details are given on the survey sheets shown above, which you can download:
It is just as important to record where the flatworms are
not found in order to build up a picture of their distribution.
More details at www.opalexplorenature.org/nzflatworm
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