Líffræðifélag Íslands
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2015
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V22
Mariusz Wierzgon (1), Pawel Wasowicz (2)
1. Faculty of Biology and Envrionmental Protection, University of Silesia, Poland, 2. Icelandic Institute of Natural History
Kynnir / Presenter: Pawel Wasowicz
Tengiliður / Corresponding author: Pawel Wasowicz (pawel@ni.is)
Research carried out in 2015 showed that at least two taxa from Heracleum genus present in Akureyri (N Iceland) can be found in natural environment outside cultivation: H. mantegazzianum and H. persicum. Both species are well known to be highly invasive in other parts of Europe. Both pose serious risk to human health due to high content of furanocumarin – a chemical compound causing serious chemical burns. Both species can easily spread in uncontrollable fashion due to fast and efficient growth and vigorous reproduction. Field research was undertaken in order to map distribution of both species in Akureyri. The presence of both taxa was recorded in cultivation and in wild. Field observations enabled us to identify gardening as a main source of propagules for both species. It was clear that both taxa were able to reproduce and spread effectively outside cultivation, causing high risk of invasion in several areas. We identified areas where plants were reproducing and spreading effectively outside cultivation and pointed them out as priority areas for eradication. Effective methods of eradication were also discussed.