Thursday, 10 May 2012
3rd June Habitats of Howth
Time and date: Sunday 3rd June, 11:00
Meeting point: Howth DART station
Details: Declan Doogue, one of the country’s leading botanists and author of Wild Flowers of Ireland: The Habitat Guide, led a walk through selected areas of Howth Head. Howth has a rich flora and a number of plant species that are not common in Ireland. The focus was on some of the habitat types that are quite rare as well as more familiar habitats like shingle ridges, coastal cliffs and the sea shore. Despite bad weather which meant there was a small turnout, those on the walk found it very informative.
12th May Himalayan Balsam Bash
Time - 10.00 - 13.00
Site – Bushy Park
Dublin IWT Himalayan Balsam Bashing
The Dublin Branch of the IWT joined forces
with Dublin City Council, Ireland’s Inland Fisheries, Dodder Angling Club and
various members of the public to attempt to deal with one of Ireland’s most
unwanted invasive plant species. Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is also known as Indian balsam, and
Policeman’s Helmet due to the shape of the flower.
We also were honoured by a visit from the
Lord Mayor, Andrew Montague and Minister of State, Fergus O’Dowd TD. The EU is
currently developing a new EU Directive aimed at invasive species. Himalayan
Balsam is one of Ireland’s invasive plants threatening our river ecosystems. The
plant can grow up to 1.5 – 2m. It is an annual and so completely dies down in
the Winter. It is a prolific seeder and the seed can last up to two years in
the ground. However, unlike many other invasive species, Himalayan Balsam, can
be very easily removed by young and old alike. Its shallow root system ensures
that anyone can gently but firmly pull the stem and remove the plant. Large
areas can be cleared and a second visit to the area in the second year will
remove the plants that germinate from the soil’s seed bank.
Due to its rapid growth it can take over riverbanks
forcing native species out. After it dies in the Autumn the riverbanks are left
exposed and vulnerable during heavy rains. Native species would have good root
systems that bind the soil on riverbanks.
It is important to either remove the pulled
plants to prevent them from quickly going to seed or the pile of plants can be
effectively covered blocking out any sunlight. Himalayan balsam has a high
water content and rots very quickly. At the end of the day we all cleaned and
disinfected our boots to prevent the spread of any seeds or diseases. Dublin City Council treated all volunteers to
freshly made sandwiches and bottles of water which were eagerly consumed!
Lord Mayor Andrew Montague leads the way |
Minister Fergus O'Dowd cleans up |
Look how big our pile is! |
Local help |
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