Download Invasive Plant Species

Invasive Plant Species
What are the risks for development?
Engineers Ireland Local Government Division
Seminar
Dr. Vincent O’Malley
Head of Environmental Policy & Compliance
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
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)
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
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
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)
Japanese Knotweed and related species
Identification of Leaves, Stem & Flower
Himalayan Knotweed
Giant Rhubarb
Himalayan Balsam
Old Man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba)
Winter Heliotrope
Giant Hogweed
Non-Native Invasive Plants Legislation
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
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
Risks associated with Japanese Knotweed
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
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
Damage to Infrastructure
The Sunday Times (supplement)…..cannot get mortgages to upgrade or sell
property in UK and NI
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
Consistent Signage
Hedge Cutting Flier
Hybridisation
TII Strategy for IAPS
TII Strategy for IAPS
• 2006: Good practice guidelines on
noxious weeds and IAPS
• 2010: Updated guidelines to include
new innovation in IAPS control
NRA Guidelines/Identification Treatment Sheets
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
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
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
Foliar Spraying on the N70
Stem Injection on the N70
TII Strategy for IAPS Phase II
TII Strategy for IAPS Phase II
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,
QUESTIONS?
Engineers Ireland Local Government Division Seminar
Dr. Vincent O’Malley
Head of Environmental Policy and Compliance TII