Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2017

Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V14

Distribution and Management of Heracleum species in Reykjavík, Iceland

Höfundar / Authors: Danielle Elizabeth Beauchemin (1), Mariana Tamayo (2), Snorri Sigurðsson (3)

Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. Háskóli Íslands, 2. Reykjavíkurborg

Kynnir / Presenter: Danielle Elizabeth Beauchemin

Invasive alien species can negatively impact ecosystems in a number of ways that include declines in biodiversity, economic losses, human health issues, and risks to native species. Given these impacts, the City of Reykjavík, Iceland, is concerned about three alien hogweed species: Heracleum mantegazzianum, H. persicum, and H. sphondylium. To assess this concern, these species were mapped between May and August 2017 on both managed and unmanaged sites within the city borders of Reykjavík, using ArcGIS. This information was then compared with distribution data from 2016. Moreover, the study focused on the area of Laugarnes: where vegetation cover was measured and efforts to eradicate H. mantegazzianum were implemented in June 2017. Furthermore, media outreach and distribution of fact sheets at homes where the hogweed species were present were used to raise public awareness. Key findings include the need for early detection and implementation of eradication and control efforts to reduce the threats and costs of hogweed. The data also suggests that if all three hogweed species are left unmanaged, they will continue to invade vulnerable areas in Reykjavík, such as schoolyards and wilderness areas- resulting in an increased risk to human health and environmental degradation. By identifying hot spots of hogweed species distribution, the City of Reykjavík can target these areas and adopt more focused and effective management strategies. Finally, these results reveal the importance of public interaction and participation to increase community awareness in order to implement future management decisions regarding invasive species.