Report on non-native species along the South West Coast

During the ground truth surveys for our latest habitat mapping dataset our contractor came across a number of non-native species. We’ve commissioned a report on these species which is now available to download from our website.

23 sites around the between Portland Bill and Hartland Point were visited during the ground truthing exercise, 11 of which were found to have invasive or other target non-native plant species present. These included:

• Hottentot-fig (Carpobrotus edulis) – recorded at two sites;
• Montbretia (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Montbretia) – recorded at eight sites;
• Indian Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), also known as Himalayan Balsam –
  recorded at 1 site; and
• Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa) – recorded at one site.

These species were highlighted due to their location either within or encroaching on coastal priority habitats and because of the impact they may have on the integrity of priority habitats or potential to cause direct physical modification of habitats and the environment.

Hottentot-fig has been identified to be of particular concern due to the speed at which it can spread and dominate habitats, modify the environment through sand dune stabilisation and acidification of soils and its potential to destabilise cliffs if improper control techniques are implemented.

The report is freely available to download from the South West tab in the reports section of the website, filed under ‘other survey reports’ or by clicking here and choosing [Add to Basket] at the top of the page.