The impact of Invasive non-native species on people and urban environments.
Today is day 4 of #INNSWEEK 2022. INNS Week is a national initiative to raise awareness of the negative impact of invasive species across the UK. Each day we will be discussing a different theme. Today we will be talking about the impact of INNS on people and urban environments.
What is an urban environment?
Urban environments are built up areas, such as cities and towns, usually involving houses, roads, commercial buildings and people. As this is where a lot of us are living, it is important to understand the impact of invasive species on these areas!
INNS Impact
For a species to be considered invasive, it has to fit into a criteria.
This is usually if:
The species has a negative impact on the environment (such as affecting biodiversity)
The economy (costing a lot of money to control)
Harm to human health (such as a plant or animal that harms people).
Some of the invasive species do more than one of the above, which is why it is important to raise awareness about them, and what we can do to control them.
Example
Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a large invasive plant causing negative impacts especially in the Tees catchment area. Not only does it cost a lot of money to control, it also is harmful to the environment by creating large monocultures outcompeting native species for space and light. One huge issue with this giant beast, is the harmful effect on human health. Giant hogweed excretes a toxic sap, if comes into contact with skin, creates a reaction with the sun resulting in blisters and burns! Giant hogweed grows in all kinds of habitats, we especially see it along the river banks due to the easy spread of seeds (each plant can produce 20,000-50,000 seeds!). Without control, these plants will take over, ending up in urban environments.
Control
Specifically in the Tees area, we have a project controlling giant hogweed. Although in small quantities, they can be dug out (using gloves to cover the skin), in larger quantities, the best control is through pesticide use to kill the plants off and allow for native species to grow.
If you want to find out more about how we control giant hogweed, check out our website here. This project is funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund.