Alien Species Invade Space for Development

The invasion of alien plant species could have a serious impact upon regeneration and deprive areas of much needed investment, a leading urban ecologist has warned.

[ClickPress, Fri Feb 02 2007] The invasion of alien plant species could have a serious impact upon regeneration and deprive areas of much needed investment, a leading urban ecologist has warned.

Dr Ian Rotherham, of Sheffield Hallam University, believes that a lack of co-ordination and expertise by local authorities and regional agencies could end up costing communities dear. Invasive plants cause such devastation that areas in desperate need of development may be abandoned as developers attempt to avoid the problems.

"The difficulties and costs of invasive weed infestations can be real barriers to development," explained Dr Rotherham. "For a region such as South Wales it has been recognised that Japanese Knotweed in particular could deflect development and investment away to areas that are less problematic.

"Many local authorities and regional agency offices have almost no up-to-date information on the distribution and occurrence of key problem plants in their district.

"Furthermore, many of the major sources of infestation are often owned and managed by either local authorities or government agencies."
The infamous Japanese Knotweed is one of the world's most invasive species. It can grow through asphalt and breezeblocks, undermining foundations and wrecking roads and buildings. Experts say a new plant can grow from a piece of root the size of a garden pea.
And with changes in the global environment, particularly enhanced global warming, and moves to a more urbanised society, the problems only will get worse.
A £1.5 million road development near Fareham was delayed for three years following the decision by Hampshire Council to spend three years and £5,000 on poisoning the knotweed infestation rather than £250,000 on removing it. North Lanarkshire Council had to spend almost £750,000 and delay plans to build a nursery and primary school complex in order to rid the site of knotweed. And there are major concerns about the 2012 Olympic site in East London after the pernicious plant was discovered.
But problems can be minimised by early identification and effective planning. Dr Rotherham said: "It is clear that invasive weeds cause huge damage and can be significant barriers to developments but the currently available technology and good practice can address the problems caused.

"However, the present situation is very much a piecemeal approach with little strategic co-ordination. It is suggested that a fully integrated and coherent approach would bring major benefits and represents the only serious way to address the wider and growing issues."

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