WG Invasive Species

The spread of invasive plant and animal species is one of the five major threats to biodiversity. Numerous invasive species are found in the Euregio, and they are not only displacing domestic species, but also causing other problems. The giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), for example, causes severe burns to the skin after contact with the sap and exposure to sunlight. The extremely fast-growing Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) pervades agricultural areas or urban parks with its rhizomes, rendering these areas unusable. Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) overruns entire littoral zones, where it leads to an increase in soil erosion.

These and other species spread across borders, especially along river courses and roads. The countries and regions set different priorities and take differing action to control the spread. In order to coordinate measures across borders and thereby make them more effective, the working group on invasive species was set up on the initiative of the municipality of Raeren in East Belgium, which is currently being coordinated by the Three-Countries Park. The group meets once a year, shares technical approaches and the latest developments and agrees on joint cross-border action where possible.