The key message to ‘Be Plant Wise’, highlights how a range of plants in a garden pond can quickly choke other plants through their excessive growth and also spread to other areas.
John Early, Northern Ireland Environment Agency Biodiversity Unit, said: "Many Invasive Aquatic Plants spread easily by fragments. This means that just one fragment escaping from a pond or fish tank could lead to a whole river or lake becoming infested. In those situations they are very difficult and costly to control."
Invasive Aquatic Plants include the Curly Waterweed, Parrot's Feather, Floating Pennywort, Nuttall’s Pondweed, New Zealand Pigmyweed, Water Fern and the Fringed Waterlily. Originating from other countries, these have been found in garden ponds in Northern Ireland.
Mr Early continued: "If these species get out into the wild they can over-run waterways, damage habitats, outcompete native species and harm wildlife. Some plants can even grow to such an extent they form dense mats which can appear to be dry land to livestock and people, leading to problems for recreational activities such as boating and fishing."
NIEA’s advice is to properly compost unwanted aquatic plants away from waterways and damp areas and not to throw out fish tank or pond water incorrectly, as this could accidentally introduce the species and pests into the wild.
Areas which have already been hit by the problem of Invasive Aquatic Plants include the Glastry Clay Pits on the Ards Peninsula, the Belfast Waterworks and the Balloo Nature Reserve in Bangor.
For guidance on how to manage a wide range of Invasive Aquatic Plants and information on other species access the Invasive Species in Ireland website
Notes to editors:
- Species that have been introduced to a place where they do not naturally occur are known as 'non-native species'. Many of these live happily in the UK and Ireland without causing problems but a few become what are called 'invasive species'. These upset the balance of the ecosystem as they are commonly bigger, faster-growing and more aggressive than 'native species'.
- Commonly invasive species have no natural predators to control their numbers. The native species are often unable to compete and quickly the ‘invasive species’ takes over.
- Invasive species can alter ecological relationships among native species. They can affect the whole ecosystem function, economic value of ecosystems and human health.
- Whilst the majority of introduced species pose neither economic nor ecological problems, a few species become invasive and damaging to their new habitat.
- 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.
- Invasive alien species invasions are widely recognised as the second biggest threat to native biodiversity, second only to that of habitat destruction.
- The Curly Waterweed, Parrot's Feather, Floating Pennywort, Nuttall’s Pondweed, New Zealand Pigmyweed, Water Fern and the Fringed Waterlily are all Non-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants that are known to occur in Northern Ireland.
- The Northern Ireland Environment Agency has issued guidance on controlling many Invasive Species in the downloads section of Invastive Species in Ireland website Further information on a range of invasive species can also be found on the website.
- The Invasive Species in Ireland website was developed as part of a jointly funded project between the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin.
- All media queries should be directed to the Department of the Environment 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.
