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Description
The aim of the project is the negative effects of disturbance of biodiversity through the spread of invasive alien species, control of their occurrence, as well as identification and elimination of sources and routes of spread of invasive alien species, taking into account complementary awareness-raising campaigns in this regard, including their interrelationship and the performance of analyzes to indicate possible paths for the management of waste generated after the removal of plants.
Eadication of invasive species - Soson''s borscht, Canadian goldenrod and knotweed As part of the task, monitoring of activities are planned to carry out in the field of active nature protection. Task led by a Norwegian project partner. As part of the task, it is planned to prepare a concept of the most effective way for the management of the waste, which is green mass, being a result of cutting down Sosnowski hogweed. Conducting an information and educational campaign.
Thanks to the implementation of the project, it is planned to reduce the range of invasive alien species - Sosnowski hogweed, goldenrod and knotweed increasing the awareness of residents on topic.
The target group to which the project is addressed are the communes of Kępice, Kobylnica and some residents from the Pomeranian Voivodeship, with a total of about 29,000 inhabitants.
Establishing cooperation is aimed at strengthening the staff and content potential of the Kępice commune and promoting information on organizations operating in the Donor States.The conducted research will answer the question which of the proposed management technologies is optimal, taking into account the technological and economic aspects. It should be noted that for the disposal of Sosnowski hogweed, apart from commonly known technologies such as anaerobic digestion in a biogas plant and composting, the innovative technology of pyrolytic decomposition will also be tested.
Summary of project results
In the area of project implementation, the invasion of alien species (Giant Hogweed Heracleum sosnowskyi, Japanese Knotweed Reynoutria japonica, and Canadian Goldenrod Solidago canadensis) has led to a significant deterioration in the state of the natural environment. This has included an increase in the area of degraded land, a decline in the populations of protected species, and the degradation of ecosystems, including aquatic ecosystems. These problems have been exacerbated by the continuous spread of invasive species, whose occurrences were often scattered and located in hard-to-reach areas.
Furthermore, in the regions where invasive species were present, biodiversity diminished significantly, with reductions of up to 70% compared to areas free of these plants. Invasive species displaced native plant species, limiting their proper growth and development. Their presence was observed near residential areas, agricultural holdings, field edges, drainage ditches, wooded areas along transport routes, and lake shores, which are abundant in the region. The spread of invasive species resulted in the destruction of natural resources and a decline in landscape values. Additionally, invasive species posed risks to public health and safety, as contact with them could cause burns.
Along lake shores and other water bodies, invasive species growing along the banks had a detrimental impact on the fauna inhabiting these ecosystems. They contributed to bank erosion by displacing rhizomatous plant species that stabilize shorelines. These invasive plants exhibited rapid regeneration and reproduction. Their presence was documented in protected areas, including the "Torfowisko Potoczek" Nature Reserve and areas within or near Natura 2000 sites.
The proliferation of these plants has created a critical issue for the municipality—land degradation. Addressing this problem required substantial financial resources and the development of new, effective methods. Previously applied methods of controlling invasive species failed to yield the desired results, and an additional challenge emerged: managing the organic waste generated by the removal of Giant Hogweed.
Given the threat to public health and safety, there was a pressing need for an educational campaign to raise awareness about protection against invasive species.
As part of the project, effective methods for combating invasive species were implemented, and, in collaboration with the Norwegian research institute AquaTeam COWI, an evaluation was conducted of methods for managing the organic green mass generated from the removal of invasive plant species. The project included a comprehensive diagnosis and analysis of the issue, preceded by a study visit as well as the execution of scientific research and analyses. AMPTS methane potential tests were conducted to determine the methane yield of the species, along with composting tests and biomass conversion through pyrolysis. The most cost-effective, efficient, and safe method identified was directing the stream of green waste to nearby composting facilities.
A detailed report was produced as part of the task''s implementation and was made available on the project''s dedicated website. This report serves as a valuable resource for companies, organizations, and institutions planning similar initiatives, as well as for other research institutions. The Municipality of Kępice, as the project leader, gained valuable experience in implementing tasks co-financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014–2021 in a partnership framework.
The project fostered partnerships with institutions such as the Municipality of Kobylnica, the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Gdańsk, and AquaTeam COWI, the Norwegian partner. These collaborations established lasting relationships that are expected to facilitate future initiatives of a similar nature.
The Municipality of Kępice also acquired expertise in dealing with invasive species and methods for their eradication. Additionally, through ongoing project monitoring, including frequent field visits, new areas of invasive plant occurrence were identified. The total area of improved environmental conditions in the Słupsk County, encompassing the municipalities of Kępice and Kobylnica, amounted to 69,800 hectares. The number of ecosystems with enhanced environmental conditions reached 61.
As part of the campaign, posters, informational brochures, calendars were developed and distributed, educational lessons were organized in five schools in the Municipality of Kobylnica and six schools in the Municipality of Kępice, a video spot was produced, and a project subpage was created. The website and social media platforms were visited by 10,976 users.
A conference organized as part of the project was attended by 67 participants, while the educational lessons engaged 564 students. A total of 5,800 promotional and educational materials of various types were distributed.
As an innovative solution, a drone was purchased and utilized during the project to monitor the occurrence and spread of invasive species, aiding in their control and eradication.
The total area of improved environmental conditions in the Słupsk County, encompassing the municipalities of Kępice and Kobylnica, amounted to 69,8 hectares. The number of ecosystems with enhanced environmental conditions reached 61.
The project significantly improved the protection of ecosystems against invasive alien species, reducing the impact of three invasive species (Heracleum sosnowskyi, Solidago canadensis, and Reynoutria japonica). An educational campaign was conducted to raise awareness about invasive alien species, reaching a total of 29,607 individuals.
The primary beneficiaries of the project activities were the residents of the Kępice and Kobylnica municipalities. It is within their areas of residence that improvements were achieved in the natural environment, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
The beneficiaries of the educational initiatives were primarily the residents of Kępice and Kobylnica municipalities. As a result of the educational campaign, the safety of the beneficiaries was enhanced. The campaign had a regional reach and involved the creation and distribution of 500 informational posters, 2,500 informational brochures, 2,500 calendars for 2022, and 300 educational games.
The total number of individuals reached through awareness-raising campaigns was 29,607. This figure includes:
10,976 website and social media visitors,
67 participants in the conference,
564 students attending educational lessons, and
5,800 recipients of promotional and educational materials.
These materials directly impacted approximately 18,000 residents.
The implementation of the project also supported the efforts of the local governments of Kępice and Kobylnica municipalities to improve the state of the environment and the quality of life for their residents.
Summary of bilateral results
1)Thanks to the collaboration with the Norwegian research institute AquaTeam COWI, effective methods for combating invasive species were implemented. Tests, studies, and scientific analyses were conducted, which made it possible to identify the most effective method for managing biomass resulting from the removal of invasive plants. As a result, the project achieved better outcomes.2)The collaboration enabled the project initiator to address the problem of spreading invasive alien species. The Kępice Municipality gained extensive knowledge and scientific data, which provided practical tools for the effective management of green waste generated during the eradication of invasive plants. The collaboration contributed to the development of the partner''s scientific research, allowing the testing of developed scientific analyses in practice. The publication of the research report strengthened the partner''s position in the international scientific community. Both sides benefited from the exchange of knowledge, the enhancement of competencies, and the dissemination of results, which may lead to the implementation of similar initiatives in the future.3)The continuation of the collaboration will be based on the exchange of knowledge and experiences – we aim to further develop and promote innovative ecological solutions. Educational cooperation, such as study visits, would bring mutual benefits. Monitoring of the implemented biomass management methods will be conducted to evaluate their long-term effectiveness and impact on the natural environment.