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Pilot Project Neophytes Reppischtal

Realized:

2019

performed by:

Naturnetz Mittelland

In 2017, the pilot project "Together against neophytes" was launched in the Reppischtal. Since then, all green areas from Birmensdorf to Hausen am Albis have been combed every year, searched for neophytes and, where they are present, they are professionally combated. The nature network takes on the key role in the project concept of providing local resources for intensified control measures where there is a lack of these. 2019 is the third year of the four-year, intensive containment attempt.

The successes are already evident. In many areas that were heavily infested with invasive alien plants at the beginning of the project phase, only a few individual plants can be found, which can be quickly weeded with little effort. A follow-up phase is gradually emerging in which complex and time-consuming group operations can be dispensed with.

Nevertheless, certain species are very persistent. These include, for example, fleabane (Erigeron annuus) in which the plants were able to store thousands of seeds in the soil in the years before the pilot project. Studies carried out as part of the project indicate that this seed supply is considerable and can therefore significantly prolong weeding work. The results also suggest, however, that the seed dispersal potential in the surrounding area is much lower than previously assumed. The same problems are evidently also evident in the lesser-known goat's rue (Galega officinalis). In such areas, there is no other option than to weed the emerging plants every year, as replacing the topsoil with uncontaminated soil is too expensive and usually not feasible.

The last year of the project is beginning and the Nature Network is still motivated to weed the remaining and re-emerging populations of non-native plants again in 2020 before they seed, thus preventing further spread as far as possible and perhaps even eradicating one or two populations entirely.

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