Northern Ireland Environment Agency launches project to control invasive alien species grass

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) in partnership with the National Trust has launched a programme to tackle the invasive alien species Common Cord Grass around the coast of Northern Ireland.

The Common Cord Grass (Spartina anglica) has invaded coastal sites at Strangford Lough, Carlingford Lough, Murlough Bay, Roe Estuary and Lough Foyle.

The NIEA-led Spartina Control Group has warned that the colonisation of the Common Cord Grass poses a serious threat to many of our fragile coastal habitats by disrupting our biodiversity. Much of the coastline of Northern Ireland provides homes and resting places, as well as food, for a wide range of internationally important species. Areas such as Strangford Lough provide a valuable feeding ground for wintering bird populations. They warn that the Common Cord Grass threatens to invade these feeding areas.

The control programme, organised in partnership with the National Trust, began last week and will be phased in over several years to allow for the eradication of small patches of Spartina and for the gradual longer term control of larger swards.

John Early, of the NIEA and the Spartina Control Group, said: "This grass invades our natural estuary habitat causing serious loss to our native biodiversity. It originated through the hybridisation of the introduced Smooth Cord Grass, from America, with our native Small Cord Grass. It spreads rapidly enabling it to quickly colonise areas and subsequently outcompete our native biodiversity."

The first planting of the species in Northern Ireland took place at Belfast Lough in 1929 where it never successfully established. It was subsequently introduced into Strangford Lough in the 1940s prior to its negative effects becoming known. From that initial successful introduction it has successfully established at several coastal sites around Northern Ireland.

Further information on invasive species can be found on the Invasive Species Ireland website

Notes to editors:

1. Invasive Alien Species are organisms from abroad which establish themselves in local habitats where they can damage native species by out-competing with them for food, predating on them, altering their habitat or by introducing disease.
2. Commonly invasive alien species have no natural predators to control their numbers. The native species are often unable to compete and quickly the invasive species takes over.
3. Invasive species can alter ecological relationships among native species. They can affect the whole ecosystem function, economic value of ecosystems and human health.
4. Whilst the majority of introduced species pose neither economic nor ecological problems, a few species become invasive and damaging to their new habitat.
5. Invasive species can be spread in many ways. Introductions can be either accidental or intentional. Many invasive plant species have been spread through deliberate introductions as the species was perceived to have a value in agriculture or ornamental gardening. However, many have also been unintentional introductions, either through planting of impure seed mixes that contain the invasive species, or by hitching a ride on a vehicle or in cargo.
6. When Spartina x alterniflora (an American introduction) hybridized with the native English S. maritima it produced a sterile hybrid called Spartina x townsendii (Townsend's cord-grass). As often happens, some individuals spontaneously doubled their chromosome number to produce a fully fertile plant called Spartina anglica which can reproduce and spread by seed. This enables Spartina anglica to quickly colonise areas where it occurs.
7. The first planting of Spartina anglica (Common Cord- Grass) in Northern Ireland took place at Belfast Lough in 1929. It never established in Belfast Lough. It was subsequently introduced to Strangford Lough in the 1940s to increase sediment accretion in coastal protection schemes, prior to its negative environmental impacts being known.
8. Eelgrass (Zostera spp.) beds, which are an important food source for wildfowl, may decline in abundance due to Spartina anglica invasion and consequently prevent feeding access to this vital food supply. Other native species can also be outcompeted and displaced, such as the native Salicornia.
9. It is anticipated the Spartina control programme will be phased over several years in a joint partnership between NIEA and the National Trust. The control programme will initially focus on controlling small isolated patches of Spartina anglica whilst reducing and controlling larger populations in a phased approach.
10. The Spartina Control Group consists of representatives from NIEA, the National Trust and the Strangford Lough Office.
11. Further information on invasive species can be found on the Invasive Species Ireland website
12. Media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.