SWEET-SMELLING INVADER IS UNDER FIRE ACROSS DUHALLOW
THE Himalayan Balsam, with is regarded as one of the most pernicious invasive plant species in terms of threatening local biodiversity, is getting a right thrashing in Duhallow.
The RaptorLIfe team at IRD Duhallow SAMOK (Salmon Otter Kingfisher) Life project has cleared 36km of Himalayan balsam from the river banks, lakes and drains along the rivers Allow and Dalua, with the help of RSS, Tus participants and volunteers.
This achievement was recognised by the European Commission as being the biggest initiative of its kind in Europe.
Clearance of Himalayan Balsam initially started back in 2014 on the River Araglin and upper reaches of the Munster Blackwater and the team at IRD Duhallow plan to continue their campaign against the invasive weed.
Following on from the SAMOK campaign, the IRD Duhallow Raptor Life project is now aiming to tackle invasive plants along another 80km of Duhallow rivers.
Tomasz Siekaniec, Technical Assistant, RaptorLife at IRD Duhallow said that the Himalayan Balsam is one of the “most dangerous plants threatening global diversity”. This invader originated in central Asia but at present it can be found across Europe, North America and even New Zealand.
He said: “Eradication is a long term process as repeated visits are essential to ensure every plant is removed.”
Himalayan Balsam was first brought to Europe by the British in 1839, at a time when people were keen to enhance their gardens with exotic plants from all over the world. But due to its invasive properties, it has rapidly spread. It can reach nearly three metres in height.
At the beginning of the growing season, the plant can be hard to identify but in early June it comes into flower and becomes quite obvious due to its large, trumpet-like pale pink flowers. Later in the season it can be distinguished from other plants by its seedpods. When the pods are fully developed even the slightest touch can cause an explosion of seeds.
The plant is perfectly sited to thrive in Ireland’s wet oceanic climate and fertile soils. It thrives in river valleys that are naturally fertile due to alluvial deposits and, as explained by Mr Siekaniec, it can also be found near streams and in farmland drains which are often enriched by fertiliser and manure runoff.
Despite the plant’s fragrant flowers it can cause serious harm to wildlife – with aquatic habitats most at risk. The main problem associated with the plant is a decrease in plant diversity in invaded areas as well as erosion of riverbanks which impacts on both aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
Mr Siekaniec said that luckily the shallow root system makes Himalayan Balsam easy to remove – therefore simply pulling the plant up by hand is the easiest control method. It is now illegal to possess, cultivate, trade or cause the spread of Himalayan Balsam.
“It was recognised by the project team that Himalayan Balsam is also present in the upper reaches of the Rivers Blackwater and Owentaraglin where it acts as a reservoir from which seeds disperse downstream causing colonisation in new areas. Unlike, the lower reaches surrounded by farmland, the upper parts of the catchment are proving difficult to access by workers and volunteers due to the rugged terrain and lack of suitable access to the rivers,” he said.
But he said that ultimately, the success of the entire operation is dependent upon the “perseverance and dedication of local communities.”
“It must be remembered that it is in the best interest of wildlife to get rid of this invader while we still have a chance,” he said.