Access to Eden project awarded £2.6 million
for our exciting four-year partnership project to break down the barriers to Eden’s rivers and natural heritage!
The unwelcome invaders that are making a home in the Eden Valley
Ali Penny, our Community Engagement Assistant, is spearheading a drive this summer to stop the spread of invasive non-native species in the Eden valley. He explains why they are such a problem and simple ways to tackle them.
Non-native species aren’t new to the UK. There are now over 2000 plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms that have been introduced here from overseas. Most of these are harmless but around 15% spread and become invasive non-native species (INNS). If ignored and unmanaged, invasives can cause damage to biodiversity, the environment, our health and the way we live. INNS cost the UK economy around £1.8 billion every year through damage and erosion … and they’re here in the Eden.
River conservation charities such as ourselves work with farmers and local communities on initiatives to prevent, control and eradicate alien invaders that pose the most threat to our rivers and wildlife. Here at Eden Rivers Trust, our current focus is on two species, Himalayan balsam and American mink, and this article focuses on the first one.
What is Himalayan balsam?
This plant is a super-spreader that has been on the rampage along riverbanks in the Eden catchment. It was introduced in the UK in 1839 as an ornamental garden plant but quickly spread far and wide.
Every year, each plant can produce up to 300 seeds which can then be transported by the river, by wind and by humans. It is an annual plant that dies back with the first frost of winter, leaving the riverbanks bare and vulnerable to erosion.
So why does it matter for farming?
Not only do the balsam plants produce hundreds of seeds, but they also grow up to 2.5 metres tall. These dense stands overcrowd the riverbanks and outcompete native species, reducing biodiversity and limiting the ability for natural pest control and pollination.
The shallow root system of the balsam plants affects the stability of the riverbanks, making them more susceptible to erosion during heavy rainfall. This erosion can reduce soil quality on farmland near to the riverbanks.
The dominating nature of Himalayan balsam means that it can encroach on agricultural land, limiting space and resources for crops. The dense stands can also block waterways, increasing flood risk on farmland.
How to tackle it?
If we can remove plants from the source, we can clear areas more effectively as we will reduce seed dispersal.
Balsam seeds are easily transported by rivers, so it is important that we target the headwaters then work our way downstream. As many of these are on land that isn’t publicly accessible, we’re calling on landowners to help locate the balsam so that we can then begin to tackle it.
Bashing balsam is easy, effective and can be done by anyone. The plant does have its weaknesses which helps us in the fight to tackle it.
Once pulled, the plant should be bashed to kill it. Copyright Stuart Walker Photography
It is non-toxic and loosely rooted so it is easy to pull out and remove. Once you have pulled up the plant it’s best to destroy it:
- Break off the root as low as possible, making sure you break the stem between the root and the first node.
- Mash, twist, tear and rip the rest of the stem.
- Throw the mashed stems into a pile, ideally in the sun and away from the river, and stomp it into a mush so there is no chance of anything regrowing.
Pulling up just 10 plants will stop 3000 seeds being produced and 3000 plants growing the following year.
We have a team of volunteers who are balsam bashing experts, so let us know if you see it on your land.
You can help us win the battle against invasives!
Get the balsam bashing bug
If you’re out for a walk on a public footpath and see some Himalayan balsam, you can pull it and bash it and help protect our rivers!
We’ve produced a handy guide to balsam bashing that tells you everything you need to know.
Tell us where it is
If you’re not sure whether any plant or animal is an INNS, the INNS Mapper phone app can help you identify if it is an invasive species and then tell us where you’ve seen it.
Copyright Stuart Walker Photography 2023
INNS Mapper is a UK-wide app that calls on the general public to upload their sightings of invasive, non-native species so that organisations such as ourselves can see where to tackle next!
Download it from your app store.
If you are aware of Himalayan balsam, American mink or any other invasive non-native species on your farmland or in the surrounding area, please get in touch with Ali on 01768 866788 and join the fight to get rid of these unwelcome invaders!
