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Invasive Plants
Invasive Plants
Coping with an Alien Invasion
Mountain ranges, seas and rivers have separated populations and allowed a tremendous range of biodiversity to flourish. However, in an increasingly globalized world international trade and travel have expanded the extent and speed of species migration. Both have increased dramatically, bringing species into direct contact with one another.
For the native plant world, alien species are real aliens – and dangerous at that. When plant species spread outside their natural habitat, they often become a serious threat. In new surroundings they frequently thrive better because there are fewer natural enemies or rivals. The spread of these invasive species is usually to the detriment of native plants. As a consequence, the local and regional biodiversity is seriously threatened.
Invasive species also pose a threat to people. The Asian tiger mosquito reached Europe through trade in used tires. It carries at least 22 viruses, including dengue fever. Climate change could facilitate its passage northwards. Alien species like the common ragweed or the giant hogweed provoke allergies and skin irritation and burns.
Bayer CropScience products can offer important contributions towards an international strategy on invasive species
The international strategy on invasive species is based on a three step approach. Prevention is the cheapest and best approach, once invasive species take root, eradication is the most effective measure. If eradication is not possible, containment and long-term control are required to stop the further spread of invasive species.
Crop protection products can offer important help to all of the three scenarios. For example, Bayer CropScience offers special support to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in its efforts to control the vegetation problem in public areas. Invasive plants that are easily combustible are widespread in these areas and thus pose a considerable risk, particularly during the summer. After fires, they are the plants that immediately grow back.
Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a widespread invasive plant in Europe. Since 2005 Bayer CropScience has been helping French farmers in their fight against this weed and informed the public about the health hazards associated with it, such as asthma, allergies and eczema.
Invasive species are a major and fast growing threat to biodiversity
The European Union spends today at least € 12 billion a year on control and on damage caused by invasive species. This is why the EU Commission is currently developing a comprehensive strategy to combat invasive species, which is due to be ready in 2011.
A study published by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences of Cornell University in New York shows how enormous the economic damage caused by these alien plant species really is. According to Cornell’s research, invasive plants result in a total cost of some 29 billion dollars per year in the U.S. due to harvest losses and control measures. Field weeds brought in from Europe now clearly outnumber native weeds. In fact, 73 percent of the field weeds are not native to North America.
The speed at which such plants can spread when left unchecked is well illustrated by purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), which was introduced to the U.S. from Europe as an ornamental plant. Every year it takes over an additional 115,000 hectares in the United States. Many wetland areas are now almost completely dominated by this plant. Its control alone costs the government 45 million dollars every year.
Early warning information systems
Early detection and rapid response are most cost-effective and more likely to succeed than action after a species has become established. This is why the EU has set up information and research initiatives such as DAISIE (Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe) and registered all known alien species in Europe. Approximately 11,000 species were counted in Europe. This database includes an alphabetical list of the 100 worst invaders with detailed maps showing where to find them (www.europe-aliens.org).
ALARM (Assessing Large Scale Environmental Risks for Biodiversity with Tested Methods) has carried out research on how habitats succumb invasion as well as on the main ‘pathways’ incoming species take (www.alarmproject.net).
NOBANIS (The North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species) is a regional portal supplying information on alien species in northern and central Europe (www.nobanis.org).
In an increasingly globalized world, the extent and speed of species migration both have increased dramatically. |  |
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For the native plant world, alien species are real aliens – and dangerous at that. When plant species spread outside their natural habitat, they often become a serious threat. In new surroundings they frequently thrive better because there are fewer natural enemies or rivals. The spread of these invasive species is usually to the detriment of native plants. As a consequence, the local and regional biodiversity is seriously threatened.
Invasive species also pose a threat to people. The Asian tiger mosquito reached Europe through trade in used tires. It carries at least 22 viruses, including dengue fever. Climate change could facilitate its passage northwards. Alien species like the common ragweed or the giant hogweed provoke allergies and skin irritation and burns.
Bayer CropScience products can offer important contributions towards an international strategy on invasive species
| Common ragweed at the stage of leaf development. |
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Crop protection products can offer important help to all of the three scenarios. For example, Bayer CropScience offers special support to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in its efforts to control the vegetation problem in public areas. Invasive plants that are easily combustible are widespread in these areas and thus pose a considerable risk, particularly during the summer. After fires, they are the plants that immediately grow back.
Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a widespread invasive plant in Europe. Since 2005 Bayer CropScience has been helping French farmers in their fight against this weed and informed the public about the health hazards associated with it, such as asthma, allergies and eczema.
The western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera) originates from Central America, the botanical home of the corn plant. It migrated to the United States several decades ago, where it causes damage worth a billion dollars every year. To Europe it was probably introduced in the early 1990s with shipments of food destined for the U.S. army stationed in former Yugoslavia. Since then the western corn rootworm has gradually spread throughout the continent. | |
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The European Union spends today at least € 12 billion a year on control and on damage caused by invasive species. This is why the EU Commission is currently developing a comprehensive strategy to combat invasive species, which is due to be ready in 2011.
A study published by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences of Cornell University in New York shows how enormous the economic damage caused by these alien plant species really is. According to Cornell’s research, invasive plants result in a total cost of some 29 billion dollars per year in the U.S. due to harvest losses and control measures. Field weeds brought in from Europe now clearly outnumber native weeds. In fact, 73 percent of the field weeds are not native to North America.
The speed at which such plants can spread when left unchecked is well illustrated by purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), which was introduced to the U.S. from Europe as an ornamental plant. Every year it takes over an additional 115,000 hectares in the United States. Many wetland areas are now almost completely dominated by this plant. Its control alone costs the government 45 million dollars every year.
Early warning information systems
Early detection and rapid response are most cost-effective and more likely to succeed than action after a species has become established. This is why the EU has set up information and research initiatives such as DAISIE (Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe) and registered all known alien species in Europe. Approximately 11,000 species were counted in Europe. This database includes an alphabetical list of the 100 worst invaders with detailed maps showing where to find them (www.europe-aliens.org).
ALARM (Assessing Large Scale Environmental Risks for Biodiversity with Tested Methods) has carried out research on how habitats succumb invasion as well as on the main ‘pathways’ incoming species take (www.alarmproject.net).
NOBANIS (The North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species) is a regional portal supplying information on alien species in northern and central Europe (www.nobanis.org).
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