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Invasive water soldier plant removed from Beverley Beck
Overview
An invasive plant known as water soldier is being cleared from Beverley Beck in East Yorkshire after spreading through the waterway since 2020. The plant has disrupted local ecology and threatened biodiversity. Contractors are using a special weed boat to remove the plants, with work partly funded by an Environment Agency grant.
Key points
- The invasive water soldier plant has been cleared from Beverley Beck in East Yorkshire.
- The plant has spread through the waterway since 2020, disrupting local ecology and biodiversity.
- Water soldier features spikes like a pineapple, stays underwater in winter, and floats to the surface in summer.
- A contractor is using a special weed boat equipped with a forked basket to scoop the plants out for composting.
- The removal work is partly funded by an Environment Agency grant using money raised from fishing licences.