Invasive Alien Species in Belgium: Sciurus carolinensis

Naturalization

This species is not yet naturalised in Belgium.

Establishment potential in Belgium : high

It is already invasive in : Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom

Invasiveness

Reproduction in the wild:	no
Dispersion potential:	high
Natural habitats:	high

More on naturalization and invasiveness: Natural and planted forests, parks, shrublands, etc.

Impacts on Species

Predation / Herbivory:	medium
Competition:	high
Disease transmission:	high
Genetic effects:	low

Impacts on Ecosystems

Nutrient cycling:	low
Physical alteration:	medium
Natural successions:	low
Food web alteration:	likely

More on impacts: In Great Britain, Ireland, and Italy, the grey squirrel causes the progressive disappearance of the native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) through competitive exclusion. Species replacement is favoured by the transmission of a parapoxvirus lethal to the red squirrel. The grey squirrel can also damage woodlands through bark stripping activity. It has to be noted that this species is included in the appendix to the recommendation no 77 of the Council of Europe as a species which has proved to be a threat to biological diversity and for which eradication is strongly recommended.

Data Source & References

Authors:	Branquart Etienne, D'aes Margo, Manet Benoît, Motte Grégory, Schockert Vinciane, Stuyck Jan
Published on:	29 June 2007
Last update:	11 December 2013

References:

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The application of the European strategy on invasive alien species: an example with introduced squirrels.

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Bertolino, S. & Genovesi, P. (2003)

Spread and attempted eradication of the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Italy, and consequences for the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Eurasia.

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Bertolino, S., Lurz, P.W.W. & Rushton, S.P (2006)

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Chapuis, J.L. & Marmet, J. (2006)

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Alien species and interspecific competition: effects of introduced eastern grey squirrels on red squirrel population dynamics.

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Libois, R. (2006)

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Sainsbury, A.W., Deaville, R., Lawson, B., Cooley, W.A., Farelly, S.S.J., Stack, M.J., Duff, P., McInnes, C.J., Gurnell, J. & Russell, P.H. (2008)

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Tompkins, D., Sainsbury, A.W., Netteleton, P., Buxton, D. & Gurnell. J. (2002)

Parapoxvirus causes a deleterious disease of red squirrels associated with UK population declines.

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Tompkins, D.M., White, A.R. & Boots, M. (2003)

Ecological replacement of native red squirrels by invasive greys driven by disease.

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Verbeylen, G. (2003)

Beverrat, Noord-Amerikaanse grijze eekhoorn, Aziatische grondeekhoorn.

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