The author provides an overview of a rapidly changing situation, focusing on the five invasive species known to have colonised Britain.
Non-native invasive species can significantly disrupt ecosystems worldwide and cause serious economic problems. Bivalve molluscs are ‘keystone species’ in many freshwater and brackish-water habitats, and the presence of five invasive species in Britain therefore deserves to be more widely appreciated if we are to minimise spread and reduce negative environmental impacts.