1. The long view on INNS control
Ayrshire Rivers Trust
The long view on INNS control
Presented by Struan Candlish

2. ART background
ART are based in south-west Scotland and cover 6 major rivers.
ART have been controlling giant hogweed for over 10 years on the River Ayr.
EU INTERREG CIRB project with Queens University, Belfast and other 3 other Scottish Fisheries Trusts
Carrick Invasive Species Project
Ongoing annual INNS projects, with funding from small local grant makers average investment circa £20,00 annually since 2014

3. Investment in Ayrshire
CIRB value £365,000: 57 volunteers trained, 300 volunteer hours recorded
CISP value £114,000: 38 volunteers trained
An average of £20,000 has been secured by ART annually post CIRB and CISP resulting in a total investment of £560, over the last 10 years.

4. Issues affecting long term control
Efficiency of control strategy
Efficacy of chemical
Continuity of funding
Engaging and utilising trained volunteers

5. Control Strategy
ART use a combination of staff, contractors and volunteers
Contractors (where funding allows) carry out the majority of the work
Working with the same contractors each year helps build trust, knowledge and ensures a quality control strategy.
Monitoring the effectiveness of the control is key
Use the most effective treatment methods e.g. stem injection of Japanese knotweed as opposed to spraying

6. Efficacy of Chemical
In 2018 ART observed issues with chemical efficacy.
Plants that had been treated in May were showing signs of regrowth in September.
The window for treating GHW in was during the drought in 2018 – plants may have been under stress at this point.
Are treated seeds viable?

7. Sprayed and left for dead
Sprayed and left for dead. However regrowth is emerging just 4 weeks later. This root is alive at this point and ART suspect it will continue to grow this year. This is a disappointing and worrying response to a systemic herbicide.

8. Efficacy of Chemical
Giant hogweed plants displaying different responses to chemical treatment. These plants were sprayed 1 month ago from this follow up picture at the same dose rates.
Three weeks later, the plants to the left were found to be still flowering and growing while those on the right were apparently dying off.
Conditions effecting the plants were apparently the same.
Factors such as soil moisture may have an effect?

9. Funding continuity
Securing grants annually to allow control has been the biggest challenge to ART post CIRB.
Grant makers appear to be tiring of funding the same projects annually.
Displaying progress to funders and the public is critical to maintain support.
Maintaining volunteer engagement is key but presents difficulties.

10. Volunteer engagement
In ART’s experience a project officer or similar is required to maintain a high level of volunteer/community engagement.
Volunteers are happy to receive training and equipment, but what is the incentive to control INNS in the long term?

11. Making use of technology - Drone Surveying

13. Improving efficiency
Make use of available technology i.e. drone surveys
Use reliable, trusted contractors year to year
Monitoring reliability of the strategic control strategy
Communication; public and chemical manufacturers (Monsanto)

14. Lessons Learnt
Monitoring control effectiveness and ensuring plants aren’t missed is vital
Use reliable, trusted contractors year to year
Long-term investment is crucial to control continuity
Project Officers are key to long term engagement of volunteers.