A catchment approach to Himalayan Balsam control. Chris Jackson

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1 A catchment approach to Himalayan Balsam control Chris Jackson

2 What are Invasive Non-native Species? Convention of Biological Diversity States that INNS are one of the top threats to international biodiversity Floating Pennywort Why are they bad for biodiversity? Water Fern GBNNSS Signal Crayfish Trevor Reynolds American Mink - GBNNSS Giant Hogweed - GBNNSS

3 Nottinghamshire Invasive Non-native Species Initiative Himalayan Balsam Japanese Knotweed

Himalayan Balsam Identification An annual plant with distinctive pink - purple flowers Leaves in whorls with finely serrated edges Stems and leaf mid ribs are often pink/red

4 Himalayan Balsam Identification An annual plant with distinctive pink - purple flowers Leaves in whorls with finely serrated edges Stems and leaf mid ribs are often pink/red Hollow, sappy stems Shallow roots - easily uprooted when young Himalayan Balsam flowers and seedpods Found in and adjacent to waterways and on damp ground, especially in woods

Himalayan Balsam invasive Introduced in gardens in the early 19 th century and first recorded in the wild in 1855.

5 Himalayan Balsam invasive Introduced in gardens in the early 19 th century and first recorded in the wild in Can grow up to 2 to 3m tall characteristics Spread by explosive seeds, wind and water Out-competes native flora especially on river banks and damp ground Himalayan Balsam dominating a river bank - GBNNSS The winter die back leaves soil exposed to erosion, especially on river banks and slopes

Control of Himalayan Balsam in Nottinghamshire Lots of people are tackling Himalayan Balsam across the county at various locations Generally there is no overall plan or coordination Sites are worked

6 Control of Himalayan Balsam in Nottinghamshire Lots of people are tackling Himalayan Balsam across the county at various locations Generally there is no overall plan or coordination Sites are worked on in an ad-hoc fashion As a result HB is spreading even where a lot of effort is being spent trying to tackle it We need a more joined up catchment based approach, across the county and across county boundaries

Key Aims Strategy for Himalayan Balsam in Nottinghamshire - 2010 onwards Improve our knowledge of the distribution of Himalayan Balsam across the county.

7 Key Aims Strategy for Himalayan Balsam in Nottinghamshire onwards Improve our knowledge of the distribution of Himalayan Balsam across the county. Use survey data to identify key catchments and sites. Undertake pilot projects - River Leen & Maun. Work with landowners and local communities to coordinate control measures in key catchments.

8 HB Project - baseline data

9 HB Project - River Leen Pilot C Green Infrastructure Project created an opportunity Target Sites Butlers Hill Bestwood Country Park Mill Lane Fishing Ponds Additional Sites Springfield Corner David s Lane, Basford Daybrook, Valley Road Washlands

10 Issues raised by River Leen pilot Landowner involvement - haven t been able to get complete buy in Difficult site conditions - some sites have poor access or inaccessible areas Commitment - need to ensure that sites are revisited Ability to respond to new information

Himalayan Balsam Control Key Principals of control Make sure you are aware of the biodiversity interest present at the site - take appropriate measures e.g.

11 Himalayan Balsam Control Key Principals of control Make sure you are aware of the biodiversity interest present at the site - take appropriate measures e.g. consider water voles, nesting birds and other flora Ensure you get started early and hit the site hard at the end of March/early April it will make it easier later in summer Start in a logical location e.g. uphill, upstream, at one end of the patch Have realistic expectations - you may not be able to tackle the whole problem across the site in one year If possible undertake control throughout the growing season from March to October

12 Himalayan Balsam Control at Adbolton Ponds Work Hours Apr-10 Himalayan Balsam Control at Adbolton Ponds Jun-10 Aug-10 Oct-10 Dec-10 Feb-11 Month/Year Apr-11 Jun-11 Aug-11 Adbolton Ponds is a designated SINC site close to Lady Bay in Rushcliffe. In 2009, Himalayan Balsam was observed on this site covering an areas of approximately 15m x 10m. The Himalayan Balsam was at different densities across this area. In the autumn of 2009 the Himalayan Balsam was pulled and stacked in one central location. In 2010 and 2011 the site was controlled by pulling throughout the growing season with the majority of the work done in March and April. As a result of this work the amount of work effort was reduced by 75% in the second year of pulling. Autumn Crocus: Nick Crouch/Nottinghamshire County Council

Nottinghamshire INNS Initiative Next Steps DEFRA has funding available for the next three years to help support Local Action Groups to tackle aquatic INNS. Bids need to be submitted by mid March 2012.

13 Nottinghamshire INNS Initiative Next Steps DEFRA has funding available for the next three years to help support Local Action Groups to tackle aquatic INNS. Bids need to be submitted by mid March The partnership would like to broaden out its work on INNS - include more species, Water Fern, American Mink. Anyone who would like to be involved in this funding bid/project, please contact me. Autumn Crocus: Nick Crouch/Nottinghamshire County Council

15 Himalayan Balsam on the Potwell Dyke

Balsam Bashing Kit list. The BEACON quick guide to balsam bashing. Balsam Bashing Games. For a successful balsam bash you will need:

Balsam Bashing Kit list. The BEACON quick guide to balsam bashing. Balsam Bashing Games. For a successful balsam bash you will need: The BEACON quick guide to balsam bashing This guide will give you all the information you need to set up a balsam bash and have fun doing it... PICK YOUR SPOT Choose a suitable location for the balsam