Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ghent fights 583 Japanese Knotweed outbreaks using a digital tracking system. Alderman Bram Van Braeckevelt highlights eco-friendly methods: sheep grazing, tree planting, and careful soil handling.
As VRT News reported, Japanese Knotweed, which was brought to Europe as a decorative plant, is now a major problem in Flanders. The city of Ghent has created a digital system to track and manage the plant. This system helps the city map where the plant is growing and creates specific plans to control it in each area.
Ghent is currently working to address 583 known outbreaks of the plant, and each outbreak requires a different approach depending on how widespread it is and the sensitivity of the location. According to Alderman Bram Van Braeckevelt, the city is taking a careful approach to combat the plant, which came about after a question from party colleague Liesbet De Weder.
How is Ghent combating Japanese Knotweed without chemicals?
Ghent is using different ways to fight Japanese Knotweed. According to City officials, if it’s okay to dig, they will cut down the plant a lot to use its energy. This takes time, and they watch to make sure it doesn’t come back.
They mentioned that, but if digging could spread the plant, they wouldn’t do anything. Instead, they let local plants grow, especially trees, to make shade. The Knotweed doesn’t like shade. By planting trees, Ghent is using nature to stop the plant from spreading.
Ghent is using sheep to fight Japanese Knotweed in a new way. The city lets sheep eat the plant in Gentbrugge. Officials mentioned that this is like using machines to cut the plant. The sheep eat the young shoots of the plant. This slowly uses up the plant’s energy that is stored underground. They said that sheep can go where machines can’t reach, like tough spots. They also help other plants grow in the area.
Ghent is not using electricity to stop Japanese Knotweed, unlike other cities. They think it’s not right for their city. Using electricity can be tricky and might cause problems. Ghent also stops the plant from spreading during construction. They know that soil with roots can spread the plant if moved.
They are careful with the soil. But, they also say that cutting the plant above ground is safe to throw away. Only the roots underground can regrow. Ghent tells everyone these things to help stop the plant from spreading.
They mentioned that this plant grows very fast and has become invasive. It pushes out native plants, harms the environment, and can even damage buildings and roads because of its strong root system.
