The Gwent Levels are finally clear of Floating Pennywort, following a 12-year fight to tackle the invasive weed. Originally brought to this country from America, Floating Pennywort can grow at an alarming rate of up to 30cm in one day, making it very difficult to control.
The plant breaks up easily and rapidly establishes in new areas, blocking ditches and crowding out rare and ecologically important native plants. CCW Conservation Officer Angela Hunt said:
“The Gwent Levels are nationally important Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and the network of drainage ditches are an important refuge for a wide variety of plants such as frog bit and arrowhead, as well as animals –including the Variable damselfly and Great silver diving beetle.”
A partnership project, between the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Environment Agency Wales (EAW) and the Caldicot & Wentlooge Levels Internal Drainage Board (CWLIDB) has successfully removed floating pennywort from the Gwent Levels.
Angela added:
“The involvement of the drainage board proved the turning point in the fight. Their work involved painstakingly uprooting the plant by hand from a boat, and we still rely on their vigilance to spot any new outbreaks as they go about their daily work on the Levels.”
It is thought that several tonnes of pennywort has been cleared from the ditches over the years. CWLIDB engineer Andrew Ross said:
“These drainage ditches locally known as reens form part of a historic landscape, support important habitat, make wet fencing and watering holes for livestock, all in addition to the primary function of controlling flood risk. As such it is everyone’s best interest to keep them clear.”
Stuart Craxford, Biodiversity Officer at Environment Agency Wales, added:
“This is a great result for our native wildlife. It is our priority to improve water quality to help us meet our responsibilities under the Water Framework Directive. Working with the partnership we will continue to survey the area to make sure the Levels will be clear of Pennywort for many years to come.”
For more information about floating pennywort or to report a possible sighting of the weed, please contact CCW’s enquiry service on 08451 306229 or e-mail [email protected].
