A PROJECT to control the spread of invasive plants in the Tamar Valley has stepped up a gear this year by extending its focus to include the River Tamar between Gunnislake New Bridge and Greystone Bridge.
The Tamar Valley Invasive Plants Project started in 2001 through a partnership comprising English Nature, the Environment Agency, Silvanus Trust and Tamar Valley Service.
A spokesman for the Tamar Valley Service said introduced species such as Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knowtweed and Himalayan Balm were spreading rapidly along the banks of the Tamar and Tavy and having a massive impact on native species. This in turn had an adverse impact on wildlife and the structural stability of the riverbanks.
?The only effective means of combating this problem is to carefully survey where the invaders occur and apply Glyphosphate to the individual plants, combined with the pulling of plants and the removal of the root system,? he said.
In 2002, 20 hectares of Giant Hogweed within the Tamar/Tavy Site of Special Scientific Interest were sprayed and progress monitored.
The new focus will look at tackling Japanese Knotweed in addition to Giant Hogweed and landowners whose property borders the river are being contacted to seek their co-operation in mapping the plants, with spraying to start as soon as possible. This will be followed by a careful survey to ensure that steady progress is being made.
More information on the project is available from Stephen Russell on 01822 610662. If you have the plants growing on your land there is a questionnaire which is available at http://www.tamarvalley.org.uk">www.tamarvalley.org.uk