The forest is under attack from non-native plants.
These plants have escaped from our gardens during the last century and they are out-competing our native plants. The plants involved are:
- American skunk cabbage
- Creeping water primrose
- Giant hogweed (picture left)
- Himalayan balsam (pictured above)
- Japanese knotweed
- New Zealand pygmyweed
- Parrot’s feather
The problem is particularly severe along rivers, which provide pathways for infestation.
Invasive species on rivers can smother or kill native wildlife, spread disease, cause serious bank erosion, increase flood risk and provide a risk to human health and safety.
HLS funds have assisted the New Forest Non-Native Plants Project in identifying methods to combat this invasion.