Blogs

There is a loose UK network of organisations collecting and communicating data.  A key focus is the UK Defra Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS)
Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC) programme.  In collaboration with the NERC CEH - Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (the Biological Records Centre) - it provides reporting software that gathers information - with links to the National Biodiversity Network.  Species and corresponding organisations collaborating in RISC are: /more.....Animals:

• Muntjac deer - the Mammal Society, The People's Trust for Endangered species,
• Zebra mussel - The Conchological Society,
• Mitten crab - The Marine Biological Association of the UK,
• American bullfrog - Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
• Citrus longhorn beetle - Food and Environment Research Agency
  
• Western conifer seedbug - Terrestrial Heteroptera Recording Scheme for GB and Ireland
  
• Southern green shieldbug - Terrestrial Heteroptera Recording Scheme for GB and Ireland
• Rhododendron leafhopper - Auchenorrhyncha Recording Scheme for GB and Ireland
  
• Signal crayfish - CEH
  

Plants:

• Water primrose - Botanical Society of the British Isles
  
• Tree of heaven - Botanical Society of the British Isles
• American skunk-cabbage - Botanical Society of the British Isles
• Floating pennywort - Botanical Society of the British Isles
• Water fern - Botanical Society of the British Isles
• Wakame - The Marine Biological Association of the UK
• Rhododendron - Botanical Society of the British Isles
• Himalayan balsam  - Botanical Society of the British Isles

And outside the RISC programme, there are other mapping and recording schemes that capture invasive data:

• Grey Squirrel - the Mammal Society
• Ring-necked parakeet - BTO Birdtrack, Project parakeet
• Harlequin ladybird - Harlequin ladybird survey
• Horse Chestnut leaf-miner - Conker Tree Science - a collaboration between the Universities of Bristol and Hull and NERC
  

These are the citizen science/mass observation projects.  There are many more species listed, research project and eradication initiatives listed on the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat site. 

The CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) met in Montreal in early November.  CBD meeting report and documents are available and a comprehensive summary and analysis from IISD.  SBSTTA is developing perspectives and advice for the COP - the next in October 2012 in Hyderabad.  Particular points and recommendations;

• draft strategy for the Global Taxonomy Initiative with emphasis on capacity building needed for delivery of the Aichi targets by 2020.  Mention of issues relating to mobility of genetic materials for research (in line with the Nagoya ABS protocol);
• baselines, indicators and monitoring of the Aichi targets on biodiversity for 2020
• ecosystem restoration - not a replacement for conservation.  interest in new and emerging technologies
• invasive alien species - discusison on trade related issues.  emerging interest in cryptogams - algae, bryophytes and fungi.