Glastry ponds Hydrocotyle

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A strategy for tackling invasive species The
National Trust Invasive Species Ireland Forum
2009 Maurice Turley Biodiversity Officer 7th
April 2009
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Abstract - A strategy for tackling invasives
The National Trust

• The problems created by invasive species and the
  impacts on areas of high conservation value are
  well documented. The National Trust NI manages
  over 12,000 Ha of countryside and coast, which
  includes land within 22 designated areas, over
  600 Ha classed as a NI priority habitat, as well
  as numerous priority and site specific species of
  conservation interest. The impacts and potential
  threat posed by existing and new invasive species
  have huge implications for the Trust.
• The control of invasive species has been an
  historical practice at many National Trust
  properties and is built into management plans
  however there has not been an overall strategic
  approach that tackles the invasive problem at a
  regional level. The size of the problem posed by
  invasive species has not been documented, namely
  the amount present and the species involved. In
  addition, the consequences for the Trust in terms
  of time involved, resources and capital
  investment needed to tackle invasives are
  unknown. Also and crucially, the risk associated
  with current and new potential invasives and
  their impacts for future management planning has
  not been investigated.
• To address some of these issues the Trust
  are currently undertaking a project that aims to
  gain an understanding of the scale and the threat
  posed by invasive species on land under Trusts
  management. It is hoped the information obtained
  will form a baseline of what and where, and how
  did it get there from which strategic judgements
  can be made, and actions carried out based on
  sound judgements from scientific analysis. As
  highlighted on many occasions the successful
  eradication of invasive species depends on
  working in partnership. By consultation with
  catchments area plans, NIEA, ISI and others, it
  is envisaged the information gained from this
  project can be shared and be used to inform
  others of good practice.
• The specific example of Glastry Ponds, a major
  site of Hydrocotyle ranunculoides (floating
  pennywort), will be outlined. The relative
  success of the various methods of control of
  species will be discussed. This project was a
  joint partnership between NIEA, Rivers Agency and
  The National Trust.

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Introduction

• 1. Invasive Alien Species on National Trust
  Properties in Northern Ireland
• A status and assessment report
• 2. Glastry ponds Floating pennywort

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National Trust NI

• 62 Properties in NI
• NTNI manages 12,000 Ha of countryside and over
  200 Km of Coastline
• Over ½ land managed is a NI priority habitat
• 22 properties with 4,426 Ha situated within an
  ASSI
• Significant biodiversity resource

White park bay
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Broad Priority Habitats
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Status of Invasive Aliens Problems

• Different techniques used to tackle invasives at
  different sites
• No prioritisation of invasive species for control
• No measures in place to dispose off and prevent
  spread of invasive species
• No knowledge of and preparation for potential
  future invasives
• No overall coordinated approach to tackling
  invasive species

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Status of Invasive AliensAims Objectives

• Identify all invasive alien flora present within
  national trust properties
• Obtain a measure of the extent and rate of spread
  of invasive alien plants
• Document current actions and techniques used to
  control invasive alien plants
• Identify areas at high risk and needing priority
  action
• Gathering information on work already carried out
  and the evaluate the relative success and
  failures of adopted techniques
• Obtain a regional overview of the scale of
  invasive flora
• Collation of existing information and research on
  invasive aliens

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Status of Invasive Aliens Outcomes

• One source for management prescriptions, best
  practice guidelines with up to date control
  techniques
• Identification of species and properties needing
  priority action
• Regional overview of the scale and threat of
  invasive aliens
• Distribution of invasive species throughout the
  region
• Information to be built into property management
  plans and nature conservation management plans
• Identification of main habitats under threat from
  invasive aliens

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Hydrocotyle - Introduction

• Glastry major site of floating pennywort
  (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides)
• Brought to Britain in the 1980s as a plant for
  tropical aquaria and garden ponds
• Grows in shallow, slow-flowing eutrophic water
  bodies and forms dense interwoven mats of
  vegetation
• The plant can grow up to 30cm a day
• This mat starves the water body of light,
  nutrients and oxygen which kills many of the
  species living in it
• Source www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/1
  03599/floating_pennywort_899832.doc -

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Glastry ponds - Location
(Image Google maps)
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Glastry ponds - Hydrocotyle
(Image Trevor Renals.)
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Glastry ponds - Crassula

• Glastry problem initially been new Zealand
  pigmyweed (Crassula helmsii )
• Localised on the bankside, in the water column
  and on the surface in most of the ponds
• Action providing public information and raising
  public awareness (cleaning fishing tackle, waders
  etc.)

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Glastry ponds - Control
(Image ISI)
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Glastry ponds - Control
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Glastry ponds - Control
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Glastry ponds - Control
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Glastry ponds - Control
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Glastry ponds - Summary

• Initially identified in Glastry ponds in 2004
• Experimental control using a grapple hook and
  vehicle tow manageable for small amounts
• Winter 07/08 08/09 NT, Rivers Agency, NIEA
  joint effort to control Hydrocotyle in main ponds
• 30 Tonnes of material removed from one pond
• Removed vegetation left to compost on bank side
• Removal of material concentrated on material in
  the middle of the pond material at pond edge
  more complicated
• Early spring new invasive Azolla covered pond
• Experimental use of cover matting on two sections
  of the ponds

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Glastry ponds - Present
Main Pond - Present
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Experimental matting
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Azolla Water Fern
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Invasives Next step

• Integrate invasive management into property
  management plans
• Concentrate resources on high risk species and
  sites
• Training and support for staff on the ground
• Local stakeholder involvement
• Raising awareness
• Working in partnership

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Acknowledgements

• Thank you

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