Alien seaweed on our shores

Seaweeds and kelps not native to UK shores are being discussed at the Natural History Museum this month.

The NHM’s Nature Live series of presentations is designed for adults and children alike.

a discussion of foreign invaders

Held in the Attenborough Studio at the Museum in Knightsbridge, Nature Live this month will cover everything from bat winter survival strategies to dinosaurs.

During the seaweed talk, scientists will be looking at marine plants that have arrived on our shoreline from overseas – sometimes way, way overseas. Often they’ve hitchhiked on ocean-going vessels.

Some foreign species have found their way here by accident – bilge water being a common example. Other seaweeds have been introduced by humans, whether for good or ill.

The Museum’s curators and researchers will be discussing these alien invaders and their effects on the indigenous local plant and animal population.

Attendees can learn about the latest research and how the NHM’s collections can help our understanding of seaweed migrations.

Nature Live runs throughout this month, with the Alien Seaweed talk set for the Attenborough Studio on March 21st 2012 from 14:30 – 15:00. Entry is free.