Invasive Plant Species

Transcription

1 Invasive Plant Species What are the risks for development? Engineers Ireland Local Government Division Seminar Dr. Vincent O Malley Head of Environmental Policy & Compliance

2 Overview What are non-native invasive plant species and why are they so successful? What are the most problematic plant species Legislation and the risks for development TII Approach to Treating IAPS

3 What are IAS Species introduced outside their natural range whose presence and/or spread threatens biological diversity, the environment, ecosystem services, the economy and human health The EC has recognised IAS introductions as one of the main causes of natural biodiversity loss (second only to direct habitat destruction)

4 Why are IAPS such a Problem? Non-native, no natural predators or pathogens, Very rapid growth and highly productive, Thrives in disturbed habitats and vacant sites Outcompete native vegetation, implication for biodiversity Propagate vegetatively (JK) or produce high quantities of viable seed (Gt) Hazardous or toxic properties Tenacious root systems and wide ranging dispersal mechanisms

5 High level economic cost Estimated damage from IS worldwide is $1.4 trillion or 5% global economy Total annual cost in the European Union is > 12 billion (2008) Total annual cost in Britain is > 2.3 billion (2013) Total annual cost in Ireland is > 266 million (2013) Highest impact species (Britain): Japanese knotweed 166 million pa

6 Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011 Plants specified include (Part 1 of the Third Schedule): giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) giant knotweed (Fallopia sachalinensis) giant-rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria) Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) Himalayan knotweed (Persicaria wallichii) Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica)

7 Japanese Knotweed and related species

8 Identification of Leaves, Stem & Flower

9 Himalayan Knotweed

10 Giant Rhubarb

11 Himalayan Balsam

12 Old Man s Beard (Clematis vitalba)

13 Winter Heliotrope

14 Giant Hogweed

15 Non-Native Invasive Plants Legislation

16 Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011 Regulation 49 In the absence of a licence, any person who plants, disperses, allows or causes to disperse, spreads or otherwise causes to grow any of the specified plants shall be guilty of an offence. Regulation 50 Prohibition on dealing in and keeping certain species Regulation 50 was due to commence in the final quarter of 2015

17 European Regulations No. 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species Establish a framework for action to prevent, minimise and mitigate the adverse impacts of IAS on biodiversity and ecosystem services Seeks to limit social and economic damage Early warning systems in place to prevent the spread of species Draft lists of IAS of EU Concern are currently under consideration

18 Risks associated with Japanese Knotweed

19 Implications for TII development Potential to damage buildings, light rail and road foundations, bridges etc., Liability for spreading, hedge cutting, upgrade works etc., Implications for contracts, costs, delays etc., Implication for all major and minor works, including Pavement Improvement Schemes, Safety, Sign and Lines, Bridge Maintenance, MMaRC contracts etc., Where consents are in place for road improvements works, need advanced contracts to remove IAPS

20 Why is JK so invasive? Fast growing species Deeply penetrating woody rhizomes 3m deep and 7m distant Tiny rhizome fragments (0.7gm) can produce new plant in 10 days Rhizomes may remain dormant (and viable) for up to 20 years Cut (fresh) stems produce shoots and roots from nodes when buried Out-competes and eliminates native vegetation in infested situations Causes bankside subsidence in river corridors Blocks sight lines and signage on roads and railways Grows through concrete, tarmac and other hard standing causing problems for road surfaces, pathways, walls and building foundations

21 Damage to Infrastructure

22 The Sunday Times (supplement)..cannot get mortgages to upgrade or sell property in UK and NI

23 How are Knotweed Sp. Spread? Giant female clone, spread by fragments not seeds, Hedge cutting and strimming are major reasons for spreading along road verges Signage Information leaflets Biosecurity issue Fragments moved on car tyres, wind, water, animals, etc. Construction work fragments roots Potential for hybridisation

24 Consistent Signage

25 Hedge Cutting Flier

26 Hybridisation

27

28

29

30 TII Strategy for IAPS

31 TII Strategy for IAPS 2006: Good practice guidelines on noxious weeds and IAPS 2010: Updated guidelines to include new innovation in IAPS control

32 NRA Guidelines/Identification Treatment Sheets

33 TII s Strategy for IAPS 2006: Good practice guidelines on noxious weeds and IAPS 2010: Updated guidelines to include new innovation in IAPS control 2014/15: Pilot research programme to develop a national strategy for control

34 Objectives of TII s Pilot Programme To develop a national strategy with a view to slowing down or containing the spread of non native invasive plant species on the national road network Undertaking this in the context of the Habitat Regulations, IAS Regulations, and the Sustainable Use of Pesticide Directive Certain plants have implications for national biodiversity because of their spreading characteristics

35 TII s Pilot Treatment Programme Developed a method to survey and measure scale of infestations using TII video footage, UbiPix and Goggle Earth Pro, Categorise for priority, possible control methodology and cost, Two pilot counties: Galway and Kerry Two IAPS: Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Giant rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria) 10,000 M2 of Japanese Knotweed treated on the N70 Greentown Environmental 5000 M2 with direct labour

36 Foliar Spraying on the N70

37 Stem Injection on the N70

38 TII Strategy for IAPS Phase II

39 TII Strategy for IAPS Phase II

40 Conclusions IAP does pose a serious risk to development, Cross sector approach needed to target eradication, DoAHG and NPWS interagency working group, Implement Phase II of the national strategy for control on the national road network, Continue with data collection on both the national and regional road networks, GIS APP Continue to promote awareness and stop cutting,

41 QUESTIONS? Engineers Ireland Local Government Division Seminar Dr. Vincent O Malley Head of Environmental Policy and Compliance TII