Biohazard
4th March 2010, ThursdayOne of the big problems facing our wetlands is the impact of non-native species such New Zealand Pigmyweed Crassula helmsii. Recently I have been working in Wales and have come across a new initiative focussed on ecologists. You see we represent a risk factor in spreading this and other undesirable species. Plants like Crassula fragment, and the small particles of plant can stick to boots and then fall off and grow when the individual wearing them visits another wetland.
Matthew Ellis of the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) has pioneered a programme of risk assessment for ecologists visiting wetlands. If you visit large numbers of ponds, across large areas of the country, you pose a greater threat of spreading these plants, especially if those wetlands support non-native species. I have been asked to complete such an assessment and found out, not surprisingly, that I am a very high risk factor. I therefore have to put down in the plan how I can minimise the risk with a range of actions that might include cleaning of boots, or even having a pair of boots devoted to work on that site. Or, when visiting a number of ponds, I might plan to visit ponds that are known to support these plants last. A simple approach that is perhaps worth considering when we visit our local wetlands.