A point just discussed on our local radio gardening show discussing the Sky News article made me think it worth posting here.
Lots on invasive alien species that are directly ( they can bite or poison us) or indirectly ( they can destroy our crops and wildlife) are only held in check by constant vigilance and great effort and expence by the government. Imagine how these other unwanted migrants will flourish AFTER TSHTF when theres no government agency to monitor and fight them.
http://news.sky.com/story/1054857/alien-...s-wildlife
There was an article on the dailymail about japanese hornets not only do they eat crops they will eat our bees. Animals and food disease/bugs are such a big risk to the uk and australia, its fascinating what people try to bring back from there travels.
Himalyan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed spring to mind, if not controlled they will take over everywhere!
I am sure if the situation required it, you would devote resources to dealing with unwanted invaders. The two plants mentioned above may be regarded as a menace now, but could have potential for other uses once there is no need to keep waterways clear. Who knows. Situations change. Believe it or not, once plants are allowed to grow their own ways pests and diseases are often kept under control by the plants themselves. It is only the hybridisation of plants, and the growing methods of humans that have caused so many of the diseases and pests that now rampage across the countryside.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_knotweed
Japanese knotweed.....
The young stems are edible as a spring vegetable, with a flavor similar to extremely sour rhubarb. In some locations, semi-cultivating Japanese knotweed for food has been used as a means of controlling knotweed populations that invade sensitive wetland areas and drive out the native vegetation.[12] Use in Japan as sansai or wild foraged vegetable is discussed below
The plant is known as itadori (イタドリ, 虎æ–?). The kanji expression is from the Chinese meaning "tiger staff", but as to the Japanese appellation, one straightforward interpretation is that it comes from "remove pain" (alluding to its painkilling use)
How to eat japanese knotweed....
http://www.tacticalintelligence.net/blog...otweed.htm
Lets hope the Spanish super slugs are not like the Brain slugs off Futurama or we are dooomed, doomed I tell ye, doomed.
Hugh fernly whatshisname tried various methods of eating slug all equaly disgusting, he was disapointed as he loves snails and thought he could find a use for slugs
i think Japanese Knotweek is a "notifyable" plant....i.e. you have to notify DEFRA if you have it.