The islands Fyrsteilene and Bjerkholmen are idyllically located in the inner Oslofjord, and are both in nature reserves. Plants that do not belong in Norwegian nature have ended up on both islands. Such as gravbergknapp.
It can be nice to look at, but is a big threat to other species. On Fyrsteilene, the plant is very widespread, and it lies like a blanket over large parts of the island. Slowly but surely, it outperforms aksveronika on the island – a species that is endangered and is on the red list.
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THREATENED SPECIES: The bumblebees thrive well among the red-listed species aksveronikaen on Fyrsteilene in the Oslo Fjord. Under the plant, the burial mound lies like a large blanket on the island. Photo: Truls Aagedal / TV 2
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TAKES OVER: Gravbergknapp is about to take over the place of aksveronika (the blue flowers) on Fyrsteilene in the Oslofjord. Photo: Truls Aagedal / TV 2
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Can spread on a large scale
The first time a burial mound was observed in Norway was probably in 1876 in Oslo. The plant was well suited as a decoration in gardens, but eventually it spread to nature. Today, the species is found in all counties, except Troms and Finnmark.
– COMPETITIVE: Alien high-risk species can spread very efficiently, says botanist and biologist at the Natural History Museum, Lovisa Gustafson. Photo: Truls Aagedal / TV 2
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Botanist and biologist at the Natural History Museum, Lovisa Gustafsson, says that the plant can spread very efficiently.
– It can spread via root shoots or seeds. But if a small piece of the plant falls off, it can also spread via, for example, water. When it comes ashore again, it can take root and establish a new population, says Gustafsson.
These plants are illegal
- Alaskakornell
- Alpine gold rain
- Balsampoppel
- Flower medlar
- Partial medlar
- Filter
- Gravbergknapp *
- Green arrow
- Golden rain
- Hagelupin
- Hybridslirekne
- Autumn barberry
- Jærlupin
- Canadian golden rice
- Giant bear biscuits
- Giant golden rice
- Kjempeslirekne
- Giant spring seeds
- Parkslirekne
- Ornamental bell
- Wrinkle rose
- Sandlupin
- Sibirberg button *
- Sprikemispel
- Sølvarve
- Tromsø palm
- Vasspest
- Narrow water plague
* The ban does not apply to planting on green roofs, but in many municipalities permission is required to do so.
Source: The Norwegian Environment Agency
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Since 2016 it has been illegal to sell species such as gravberg button and wrinkle rose in Norway. The reason for the ban is that they can destroy the biological diversity in Norwegian nature.
The species are among the 233 that pose a high risk to biological diversity. In total, there are about 1500 alien species in Norway.
– They are simply very competitive and can thus penetrate native Norwegian species. In the worst case, they can take over and change entire habitats, says Gustafsson.
Unrealistic to remove everything
– It is difficult to fight this here without removing everything else in addition, says Haakon Haaverstad about the tombstone button on Fyrsteilene.
He is a nature supervisor and senior adviser in the Norwegian Environmental Protection Agency (SNO). Through his work, he spends a lot of time during a year removing alien species.
– Nature supervision in SNO, Haakon Braathu Haaverstad says that gravbergknapp is challenging to combat. Photo: Truls Aagedal / TV 2
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Another plant that can do great damage to the diversity of nature is wrinkle rose. On Bjerkholmen outside Fornebu there are several large bushes of the species.
– With local efforts over a few years, you get rid of it, but it must be followed up for some time afterwards. The seeds lie like a bank in the soil, so it will germinate a little even if you remove the main plant. But in several areas they have succeeded in removing it, says Haaverstad about the plant with the pink leaves.
SNO works to prevent the spread of alien species to new places. Haaverstad says that the occurrence of the unwanted plants in Norway is too large for it to be realistic to have everything removed.
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WRINKLE ROSE: Haaverstad spends a lot of time during a year removing alien species. On Bjerkholmen by Fornebu there is a lot of wrinkle rose. Photo: Truls Aagedal / TV 2
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SEEDS: Wrinkle rose has many rose hips. The seeds can provide fertile ground for new growth if they are spread. Photo: Truls Aagedal / TV 2
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– We work in selected areas to remove this locally and safeguard the natural diversity that is there. But total removal of wrinkle rose is completely unrealistic, says Haaverstad.
Four tips to avoid spreading
Many Norwegians can have alien species in their garden without knowing it. To prevent these from spreading uncontrollably in nature, the Norwegian Environment Agency has made some advice for garden owners.
– You have to get to know your own garden and find out if any of the plants can be on the blacklist. The second is to make sure that these do not spread. Then you should not share plants if they are on the blacklist, says Haaverstad.
In addition, care must be taken to sort the garden waste correctly, according to Haaverstad. If it is dumped on a slope, it can contribute to the spread of unwanted plants.
– Garden waste must go to an approved reception. The municipality has good systems for this, says Haaverstad.
How to avoid the spread of alien species
- Get to know your garden. Find out if any of the plants in the garden can be on the list of alien species.
- Avoid the plants escaping from the garden. Many of the species that have ended up in the wild have originally spread from gardens.
- Dispose of garden waste properly. Garden waste should not be dumped over the fence, on a slope or elsewhere in nature. Alien species must be delivered to an approved reception.
- Do not share plants uncritically with others. Some species are forbidden to sell, plant and share with others.
Source: The Norwegian Environment Agency
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