Neophyte control

the success story continues

"We have cleared an area of a good 42 football pitches of neophytes. That's a much larger area than in the two previous years," says Nicole Aebli proudly. The ranger is primarily responsible for the neophyte campaign, which took place for the third time this year. From June 13 to 15, the Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation worked on the area around the old Sihlbrugg train station together with the project partners AWEL, the Canton of Zurich Civil Engineering Office, the municipality of Horgen, nature conservation associations (Thalwil, Wädenswil and Horgen), Grün Stadt Zürich, SBB and SZU.

This year, 120 volunteers contributed to the success. All the volunteer places were fully booked. According to Aebli, the efforts over several years are having an effect: "For example, the goldenrods, which are the most common neophytes in the area, were significantly smaller and weaker than in previous years". The population has also already diminished in some cases. Weeding was therefore easier and more efficient. "We can build on this success if we keep at it," emphasizes ranger Aebli. She is certain that the area worked on can now be increased every year.

Neophytes

Neophytes are plants that we humans have intentionally or unintentionally introduced into Switzerland. Invasive neophytes encounter conditions here under which they can spread massively and displace other native species. This is why these plants are so called. Alongside the destruction of habitats, neophytes are the second most common cause of biodiversity loss.