Bristol Living Rivers Project - Initiative - Invasive Weeds

Introduction to non-native invasive weeds

Invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam, Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed are spreading rapidly along Bristol's rivers & streams.

These non-native invasive weeds have been introduced over decades, many originally used as ornamental garden plants. They have now become a significant problem in Great Britain and research suggests the problem will become worse if not addressed. The vigorous growth, lack of natural pests and lack of diseases in this country results in invasive weeds out competing native plants. 

Additionally many of the weeds are very hardy and grow in places where other native species can not. On occasions they have been know to grow through concrete. Such ability can result in costly damage to structures or highways.

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Invasive weed survey

In 2007 the Bristol Living Rivers Project launched a new project to tackle this problem of invasive weeds.

The project was launched with a citywide invasive weed mapping survey in June identifying the areas of watercourses affected by species such as Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam.

Following this survey, a non-native invasive weed strategy for watercourses in Bristol has now been drafted and can be viewed online.

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Avon Invasive Weed Forum

On 27th September 2007 an Invasive Weeds Stakeholder Workshop took place to explore setting up an invasive weeds forum group for Greater Bristol.

The report of the event and the following presentations are available to download:

• Invasive Weeds Stakeholder Workshop
• Invasive plant species: prime suspects, Max Wade RPS Ecology
• Invasive non-native species policy development, Huw Thomas, Head, Protected species and non native species team, DEFRA
• Strategic development of effective control strategies within Cornwall, Cornwall Knotweed Forum

Following on from the Stakeholder Workshop, the Avon Invasive Weed Forum (AIWF) was established in February 2008, to tackle this important issue in the former Avon area. 

The AIWF is an independent forum involving local community groups and local volunteers and is supported by the stakeholder organisations Bristol Living Rivers, Environment Agency, Avon Wildlife Trust, Avon Frome Partnership, Network Rail, BRERC, and the four local authorities Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Bath and North East Somerset, and North Somerset Council.

For more information on invasive weeds and the forum, or to report an invasive weed please go to the Avon Invasive Weed Forum website

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Contact us

For more information please contact:

Vicky Freke
Invasive Weeds Project Officer
Tel: 0117 922 4452
Email: vicky.freke@bristol.gov.uk

 

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