Invasive non-native species (INNS) are species that have been introduced to this country, either accidentally or purposefully, and which are able to cause environmental, financial, or social damage. The three most prevalent of these species in the Wear catchment are Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed, and Giant Hogweed. Once introduced to an area these species all have the ability to spread rapidly and quickly become dominant in an area, resulting in a number of damaging impacts:
· A decline in native species as they struggle for sufficient light, water, and nutrients
· Increased erosion, followed by bank instability and a reduction in water quality, caused by the exposure of bare riverbanks when the aboveground growth of these plants dies back over winter
· Increased flood risk caused by dead plant matter entering the watercourse
· Impeded access to the riverbanks and obstruction of views, potentially affecting recreational activities and the aesthetic appeal of the area and consequently people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing
· Severe and recurring burns caused by the phototoxic sap of Giant Hogweed coming into contact with bare skin. (Below is some Giant Hogweed shoots emerging on the river bank).
· Significant financial loss caused by damage to infrastructure by Japanese Knotweed, decreased tourism, or the considerable cost involved in controlling these species. (Below: fresh Japanese knotweed shoots growing near the peninsula footpath).
All 3 of these species are widespread around Durham Peninsula, as can be seen in the map below. In an area of such high recreational, historical, and cultural importance, the presence of these species could be particularly devastating.
In response to this, Wear Rivers Trust (WRT) is working with other organisations based in the area to combine INNS management efforts in order to increase the overall long-term impact. While INNS management has been undertaken in the area on an individual basis in the past, this is not sufficient to control these species here, due to the presence of unmanaged populations in between the areas of management which therefore allow these species to continually re-infest managed areas. This novel, joined-up approach to INNS management will aim to ensure all populations around the Peninsula are located and included in a coordinated management programme going forward, allowing the cycle of endless repeat management to be broken.
With your support, we can increase the impact that we are able to have on the INNS in this area by:
· Committing more time to coordinating the work of all the relevant organisations
· Engaging with more landowners, organisations, and community groups
· Engaging with the local community and raising further awareness of this issue and what we can do to tackle these species
· Surveying the area to locate all INNS populations
· Carrying out more management tasks
· Purchasing the equipment required to control these species
· Training further volunteers to increase the number of people helping tackle these species.