WHAT’S THE REAL-life IMPACT OF invasive weeds on amenity space?
This is a topic that must be a concern for a lot of homeowners, property management agents and local authorities. Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) such as Giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam, Horsetail and Ragwort are a serious issue for land and property owners. Stepping aside from the most popular answer “weeds out compete native species” let’s look at the other impacts INNS have on the use of amenity spaces.
what is an amenity space?
An amenity space can be defined as either residential (privately owned) exterior spaces or public open spaces.
RESIDENTIAL
Residential amenity space is typically privately owned gardens or homeowner’s outside property space.
PUBLIC
Public amenity spaces are publicly used areas that are not privately owned. This includes areas of land or gardens managed by property management agents or companies. Green amenity spaces, or public open spaces that are incorporated into residential sites to enhance the landscape where people live, such as parks and play areas. Highways amenity areas such as footpaths and roads owned by local authorities and some sports grounds and associated amenities such as car parking areas. Open amenity spaces are often environmental habitats left undeveloped in order to encourage native wildlife and maintain the local ecosystem.
Amenity spaces have many benefits:
- Studies have shown that over 70% of homeowners and residents deem gardens or use of open amenity spaces as essential for general wellbeing.
- Amenity spaces reduce stress levels and provide a place for open air activities.
- Open or green spaces, or shared gardens are especially important for block residents or homeowners without a garden.
- Parks and play areas encourages social interaction and child development.
- More green areas means more native flora and fauna.
The real issues for amenity spaces
Bamboo overgrowth impeding outdoor amenity space on residential property.
Buddleia impacting amenity use on a commercial site.
If left to grow uncontrollably most invasive species will grow to a scale that impedes maintenance, access routes for humans and a natural ecological environment for wildlife and native plants. But lets look in more detail at some of the real amenity space impacts to different industry sectors:
- Impact is caused by the difficulties in maintaining/removing INNS, some (such as Ragwort) are also legislated plants.
- Impact is also cause by the some plants, such as Bamboo having extensive underground rhizome area, preventing free ability to disturb surrounding ground without the risk of spreading the plant further.
- For homeowners and residents INNS infestations can limit or significantly impede the ability to freely use or maintain their property.
- For property management agents INNS outbreaks will be a problem with fulfilling contractual grounds maintenance activities, it also puts additional burden on their yearly budget.
- For local authorities, amenity weeds can quickly cause problems if there is no duty of care to its maintenance.
- Public amenities such as parks, public footpaths and parking areas can become overgrown with INNS, reducing access, space, use and associated revenue.
- Certain INNS such as Himalayan balsam on adopted roads create issues for facilities management such as road sweeping regimes.
Herbicide resistance
The main issue relating to herbicide only control of amenity weeds is herbicide resistance which can sometimes occur where weeds are subjected to repeated treatments over many years using the same herbicide and eventually the chemical becomes less effective as the plant adapts to it. To avoid issues such as ‘herbicide resistance’ the viability of using non-chemical control methods on weeds should also be explored, i.e. cutting, mowing, cultivating or planting of competing plants and grass. These alternative methods provide an Integrated Weed Management (IWM) approach to weed control. Where chemical control only is the most effective method, high quality formula products are advocated for use with new application technologies that limit the volume of active chemical applied on each application. This helps ensure the longevity of effective use of select herbicides on select weed species.
Please note that some alternative weed control methods (such as cutting, mowing, cultivating) are not advised for the control of invasive weeds! Invasive weeds include the likes of Japanese knotweed and Giant hogweed, along with many others listed here. Always consult with a specialist in invasive weed control for advice on the appropriate method of treatment to avoid further spread on these plants.
On an environmental note, INNS will out-compete native plants very quickly, often forming dense coverage that block out light and kill plants beneath, however this can also impact amenity spaces by altering the natural habitat and it’s appearance. People do not want to see their green spaces once visually attractive with a variety of plants, flowers and trees, now smothered with an invasive plant.
How are INNS controlled in amenity spaces?
INNS treatment and removal is determined by the following factors:
- Location or site – residential property or commercial land/property.
- Invasive species – each species can be controlled by a variety of methods depending on its biological makeup and the environment it inhabits.
- Time of year – there is usually an optimum time of year in the plant’s lifecycle that is favoured for treatment or control.
Herbicide control is cost effective and controls spread and long term can result in controlled dormancy. In carrying out herbicide control work within amenity spaces we have clear health and safety guidelines that all field based staff must follow. Where long-term herbicide control is undesirable, or if the area is proposed for change of land use (i.e. re-landscaping or development) the preferred option is excavation. Excavation is an instant and permanent fix with arising wastes either removed to landfill or sustainably disposed of on-site. All methods of control must abide by duty of care regulations and legalisation.
Conclusion
It’s clear that INNS infestation has a social, environmental, and economic impact on amenity spaces, and only carefully managed methods of control will be effective long-term. Getting that programme right ensures access to and use of amenity areas remains problem free.
If you’d like to speak to us about any invasive weeds control or removal in commercial and public amenity spaces, through our Amenity Weed Management service please use the contact form below.