invasive species survey & management

Aquatic and wetland plants

We have an in-house Aquatic Ecology Team who specialise in planning, resourcing and undertaking detailed ecological surveys of freshwater species and habitats with particular expertise in assessment and control of invasive species.

ECUS has particular expertise includes developing and implementing strategies for the control of the non-native invasive macrophyte species Crassula helmsii at protected sites including Brown Moss SAC, Hatchet Pond SSSI and Swanholme Lakes SSSI for Natural England and more currently at Mochrum Lochs SAC for Scottish Natural Heritage.

This work included successfully undertaking and managing a number of large scale control programs using a variety of methods including chemical control, mechanical removal, shading with geotextile and environmental control.

ECUS staff have experience of designing and undertaking laboratory, mesocosm and field trials into the use of both novel and traditional methods for control of invasive species including Crassula helmsii, Elodea nuttallii, Hydrocotyle ranunculoides and Myriophyllum aquaticum.

Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed

Works typically involve liaison with the Environment Agency and site contractors to ensure a suitable and effective management plan is produced followed by site supervision of the works to ensure the material is safely removed in accordance with the management plan.

Where chemical control of plants is required, including Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam, ECUS work in partnership with local herbicide contractors to ensure and effective and comprehensive control program is implemented.

Our site team is also able to implement hand removal of Himalayan Balsam to avoid use of chemicals or intrusive physical works.

Signal Crayfish

ECUS Ecologist have particular expertise in the ecology and survey of crayfish species and were lead author and co-authors of the LIFE in UK Rivers Project publication 'Reintroducing the White-Clawed Crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes'. A core part of the conservation of native species is investigating control options for introduced species including Signal Crayfish populations and/or developing of impact avoidance mechanisms in order to protect native White-Clawed Crayfish populations.

ECUS staff have in-depth experience of the survey and assessment of crayfish populations and current experience of implementing techniques to help slow the spread of non-native species.

Other fauna

In addition to the more typically encountered introduced species ECUS staff have experience of surveying for the introduced mammals Edible Dormouse and Mink and a broad range of amphibian species.

Example projects and methods:

Control of Australian Swamp Stonecrop at Mochrum Lochs

Client: Scottish Natural Heritage Date: 2007/08

• With the list of herbicides licensed for use in or near water depleted, the focus of control methods for invasive species is shifting from chemical to environmental and mechanical removal
• ECUS were employed by SNH to develop, manage and implement a control strategy for Crassula helmsii at Mochrum lochs SSSI. Approximately one hectare of weed control fabric was laid to shade out the Crassula.

Control of Australian Swamp Stonecrop in designated sites

Client: English Nature Date: 2004

• The invasive wetland plant Australian Swamp Stonecrop is threatening a number of nationally important sites for nature conservation.
• ECUS were employed to develop, manage and implement a program of chemical and mechanical control of Crassula at 3 SSSI; Hatchet Pond Hampshire, Swanholme Lakes Lincoln, Brown Moss Shropshire.
• This project was one of the largest projects recently undertaken by Natural England and included management of site teams coordinating the work of machine operatives, herbicide technicians and other site staff.
• The work required extremely sensitive approach to herbiciding and mechanically removing Crassula from some of the UK's most sensitive sites.
• This required strong communication skills and the ability to integrate the ecological requirements of the designated features within extensive habitat management works.
• Control of other non-native invasive plants was also undertaken.