Invasive Species
Alien species of both plants and animals that have no natural control in this country can be a real problem for conservation and biodiversity since they can damage or out-compete native plants and animals. Some of the species that are a particular problem in the Lark catchment are listed below. You are welcome to get in touch here.
Signal Crayfish
Himalayan Balsam
Native to Asia, Himalayan Balsam thrives in damp, disturbed soil and produces large, beautiful pink flowers in summer that are also extremely attractive to bees.
But the plant's explosive pods can launch seeds up to 7 m in all directions. Brought to the UK in the 1800s as an ornamental plant for lakes and gardens, it soon escaped into the wild. Since it grows quickly and smothers everything growing beneath it, it is now one of the most damaging plants to biodiversity on the river.
It dies down completely in winter, leaving banks completely bare so that soil is washed into the river by flood and rainfall, contributing to the high levels of silt in our rivers.
Click here to find out about or join our Himalayan Balsam Eradication programme: https://riverlark.org.uk/what-we-do/balsam-eradication-project/
Giant Hogweed
Muntjac Deer