Jimena has joined the Junta's campaign to classify, control and eradicate invasive species of flora and fauna in Andalucía (photo: pampas grass). Initially the campaign will be carried out by gardening and forestry students of the Parques Periurbanos employment scheme, who have received study information on the subject. The campaign includes plans for awareness among residents as to the dangers of the detrimental impact of these species (see below) on the native fauna and flora of the area, particularly on fragile eco-systems such as river beds and wetlands.>
Many of the invasive flora species have been introduced through gardens and gardening centres, while invasive fauna through pet shops and 'gifts'. Here are some examples (If you can give us the common English names for some of them, we would be grateful):
Ailanthus altísima (Árbol del Cielo)
Carpobrotus Edulis (Uña de León)
Latin Name? (Wandering Jew)
Florida Turtle - highly invasive in our rivers
Argentine Gray Parrot
American red crayfish - highly invasive in our rivers
There are many more. If you want to find out more about the Junta's campaign, click here.
There are many more. If you want to find out more about the Junta's campaign, click here.
1 comment:
If we are to be curtailed from introducing fauna or flora into the Spanish countryside...Then maybe the appropriate authorities need to look to the retailers and suppliers in their own back yard before the public at large.
One only has to look to the huge numbers of Eucalyptus trees...native to Australia...If they were to be removed as per the proposed ideas; yes it would slow up its invasion but it would also cause immense problems of erosion as the roots are holding together the surrounding rocks and earth.
Plants only grow where they can get a foot hold (sorry about the pun)and who better to supply it than those who discard their rubbish and such like items that cause the catastrophic campo fires.
The authorities banned pigs roaming the mountain sides where they kept the scrub down, and ultimately the spread of fire and invasive plants.
The Spanish regard the fig as native to their county...it is both invasive and originally from south east Asia and Greece...who is going to tell them that they must cut back on their numbers?
Last year, when I found the highly destructive Colorado beetle, which is a notifiable insect in Britain, the local authorities in Estación de Jimena didn´t even know what it was let alone have any interest in doing anything.
Yes, monitor the spread of plants and animals, but be careful that what is removed does not have a detrimental affect on the native eco system.
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