Red alarm level: Potato rose threatens North Sea ecosystem!

Red alarm level: Potato rose threatens North Sea ecosystem!

Cuxhaven, Deutschland - In recent years, a controversial plant is spread along the German North Sea coast: the so-called potato rose, also known as Adolf Hitler rose. While at first glance she impresses with her striking pink blossom, on closer inspection, a serious problem reveals itself for the ecosystem and coastal protection. The plant, originally from East Asia, was imported to Europe decades ago. However, it has established itself rapidly and now threatens domestic plants and the stability of the coastal regions.

Especially in Lower Saxony, where the potato rose is particularly common on the East Frisian Islands and on parts of the mainland coast such as Schillig and Cuxhaven, reports the Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation (NLWKN) of alarming developments. According to Fabian Buß, the press spokesman for the NLWKN, the rose "established itself in all parts of Lower Saxony" and forms "greatest dominance stocks." These dense stocks not only endanger biodiversity, but also influence the structure of the coasts and dikes.

ecological challenges from the potato rose

A central problem results from the properties of the potato rose: Although it was originally planted to stabilize dunes, its roots cause the opposite. Instead of protecting the coasts, they bring the natural vegetation into distress and weaken the security functions of the dike. "Potato roses not only represent ecological problems on protective dunes, but also weaken the defensibility of the dune against storm surge loads," explains Buß. This leads to an increased susceptibility to erosion, both through water and by wind.

The roots of the potato roses do not offer stability and can affect protection against raving. In addition, stocks of the potato rose show a significantly lower biodiversity than natural plant stocks, which further endangers the region's biological diversity. These developments are worrying because they endanger the stability and health of coastal ecosystems.

The control of the invasive plant is difficult

The fighting of the potato rose proves to be challenging. The NLWKN takes steps to push the plants back by planting the injured areas of beach halls or beach rye. However, these measures are difficult to implement due to the dynamics of propagation and the resistance of the potato rose. Buß describes the problem: "The difficulties in fighting are the size of the stocks and the high regeneration potential of the plant." Even after successful control measures, there is a risk of a rapid return of the potato rose to the affected areas.

The need to get invasive types such as the potato rose under control is not only an issue in Lower Saxony. It is a far -reaching problem that occurs in many coastal regions. In many ways, this case illustrates the challenge of maintaining the balance in sensitive ecosystems, while at the same time economic and sexual interests have to be taken into account. Solutions are necessary to meet the biological diversity and the health integrity of the coastal landscape in the long term.

The state of Lower Saxony also has other unique botanical features in addition to the potato rose. Among these is the only witch tree avenue in the world, as well as a thousand-year-old plant that serves as a landmark. Nevertheless, the risk of invasive species remains a constant and complex topic in environmental policy.

The progressive spread of the potato rose once again illustrates how important it is to pay attention to the protection of ecological balance. This becomes all the more important because climate change and human activities further strengthen the challenges for biodiversity and landscape design. In view of these developments, it remains to be hoped that effective measures to combat potato rose and similar threats will be taken to protect the German coasts in the long term. For more information about this topic, Current reporting on www.merkur.de .