Himalayan balsam is one of the UK’s most widespread invasive weed species, colonising river banks, wasteland, damp woodlands, roadways and railways. Research by CABI scientists has shown local invertebrate biodiversity is negatively affected by the presence of Himalayan balsam. This leads to fragmented, destabilised ecosystems, which has serious consequences on processes and functioning, and complicates habitat restoration unless remedial actions are implemented.
Tanner, R.A., Varia, S., Eschen, R., Wood, S., Murphy, S.T. & Gange, A.C. (2013) Impacts of an invasive non-native annual weed, Impatiens glandulifera, on above- and below-ground invertebrate communities in the United Kingdom. PLoS ONE, 8(6): 1-13
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Biological fight against Himalayan balsam stepped up at sites near River Stort in Hertfordshire, UK
The biological fight against the Himalayan balsam – one of the UK’s most invasive species – is being stepped up at two sites near the River Stort in Hertfordshire, UK, thanks to CABI’s research into the rust fungus Puccinia komarovii var. glanduliferae…
2 July 2024
