Tostedt fishermen are fighting against giant hogweed: nature in distress!

Tostedt fishermen are fighting against giant hogweed: nature in distress!

In tranquil Tostedt, the members of the Nordheide Fly Fishing Association are actively involved in the fight against a plant that turns out to be a real monster: the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). As the District newspaper reported, the goal of the fly fishermen is to contain this invasive species between federal highway 75 and the district of Bötersheim. This is done in close coordination with the nature conservation authority.

Giant hogweed, which originally comes from the Caucasus and was introduced to Europe in the 19th century, is not only a threatening competitor for native plants, but also poses a health risk to people. Touching the plant in combination with sunlight can cause severe burns. Walter Mielke, waters chairman of the association, emphasizes the association's responsibility to preserve natural waters and landscapes and has already removed large populations of hogweed.

The threat of giant hogweed

The urgent challenge that giant hogweed poses to native flora and fauna is also shared by other conservationists. Loud MDR The plant can produce up to 50,000 seeds per year and spread via wind, animals and water. This invasive species obscures the light for other plants, allowing only the strongest among them to survive. This leads to a dramatic decline in biodiversity in the affected areas.

Experts recommend reporting giant hogweed populations to the nature conservation authorities, even if they are not subject to reporting requirements. The stocks are then recorded in databases and monitored. In your own garden, you should wear appropriate protective clothing when fighting the plant and ensure that the roots are removed deeply; What is cut off must be disposed of carefully to prevent further sprouting.

Together against the invasive plant

The Nordheide fly fishing association hopes to win over similarly committed organizations and citizens to work together against giant hogweed. Their efforts are not only crucial for restoring the ecological balance in their area, but also a sign of a sense of responsibility towards nature.

Overall, it is clear that giant hogweed is not just a problem for regional nature conservation authorities. It is a wake-up call for society as a whole to take active action against invasive species that have appeared in Europe like an uninvited flower. Like those too Flora Incognita In summary, invasive neophytes cause widespread ecological and economic damage and endanger the stability of ecosystems.

The commitment of the fly fishing association could therefore be a first step towards stopping the prevailing dominance of invasive species and promoting the valuable native biodiversity in the region.