Invasive Species Removal Porthcothan

This week we successfully delivered our project’s first volunteer task, supporting Beach Guardian with removal of some Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa) from the sand dunes at Porthcothan.

This rose is from eastern Asia and was first introduced to the UK around 150-200 years ago as an ornamental plant. Once in UK gardens, it then ‘escaped’ and started to flourish in our sand dunes (it produces pretty pink flowers, and its seeds are eaten by birds (which help it to spread). Once established on a site it can spread quickly, smothering large areas of native plants, so significantly reducing the diversity of species in the dunes.

The team of hard-working volunteers at Porthcothan removed as much of the Japanese rose from the dunes as they could. It’s tricky to completely remove – it can regrow from just a root fragment if left in the sand – so we had to dig up and pull out as much of the plant from both above and below ground as possible. As it was such a physical task, mince pies were on hand for a bit of seasonal volunteer ‘fuel’!

Thanks very much to everyone that helped Andy Nelson, Engagement Officer for Making Space for Sand through Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Chris from Porthcothan Sand Dunes Trust and Rob from Beach Guardian with this important work. Beach Guardian are being supported by the Making Space for Sand project and have also received some funding from Cornwall National Landscape to do more of this kind of work at Porthcothan, Treyarnon and Constantine Bay, so please contact rob@beachguardian.co.uk if you’re interested in helping out.

For more information about how the Making Space for Sand project is helping dunes to grow and thrive visit our Sand Dunes page.