A new management manual on Baccharis halimifolia
A management manual on Baccharis halimifolia (Asteraceae, EPPO A2 List) has been written in the framework of the Life+ project ‘Restauration of Habitats of Community Interest in the Basque Country’s estuary’ implemented in Pais Vasco, Spain. B. halimifolia is one of the invasive alien plants that causes the most serious negative impacts on wetlands and cliffs along the Atlantic coast.
This manual describes the morphology and biology of B. halimifolia with illustrations, and provides data on its distribution and impacts worldwide. Management methods are described for prevention, early detection, eradication, containment and control. This publication also provides detailed guidelines on how to select control methods according to the situations that are encountered.
The manual is available in English, Spanish and Basque.
Furthermore, in the framework of the Life+ project, field interventions have been accompanied by research work and monitoring and by an information campaign to raise awareness about the spread and environmental impacts of B. halimifolia. One of the achievements of the Life+ project has been the creation of an international commission to foster information exchange about the management of this invasive alien plant in different territories and to improve coordination.
Sources
Department for the Environment and Territorial Policy of the Basque Government (2014) Baccharis halimifolia management manual. Ihobe, Department for the Environment and Territorial Policy, Basque Government. 109 p. http://issuu.com/ingurumena/stacks/b98bdbd953754a7f8db566f25b50bdd0