Plant invaders – These “strangers” are disturbing the nature of Carinthia

Tuesday morning at the Lend Canal in Klagenfurt: It is raining lightly, but the two rangers Julia and Florian are in a good mood. Their job is to guide interested people through the Lendspitz-Maiernigg nature reserve and above all to familiarize them with the local flora and fauna. And with those “strangers” who actually have no place here, but can still be found everywhere. Neophytes, ie plants that are inexorably colonized by humans in foreign lands.

Indigenous species are being driven out
Many may not even know it, but the inconspicuous yellow perennials that currently bloom on every dike and on the edge of meadows actually come from North America and pollute our wildlife. “That’s the Canadian goldenrod”, Florian explains to our group, which this time mainly consists of children.

“It grows and multiplies very quickly, overpowering native plants. This causes many insects – such as butterflies – to lose their food and become extinct in the area. The chain then continues, with birds and mammals all suffering from the invaders.” So Julia hands out gloves to everyone: “Ripe that stuff out, carrot and nail!”

Hunting with your mobile phone
It is fun for the girls and boys, even the Himalayan Balsam will take it with all its might. This one blooms nicely, but is also on the “black list” and can go. The two rangers’ advice: “If you’re not sure which plant it is, consult a book – or, easier in the field, work with identification apps!” This interactive method is well received by the young naturalists; and so even the cell phone is useful in the neophyte struggle.