Case Studies

We want to share our knowledge and any research into managing invasive species, so here are a few short case study reports to showcase some of the work that the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative and our partners have been delivering. If you’d like any more details or would like to discuss them with us please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You can also download each case study as a pdf document, the link is at the bottom of the case study text. (Please note pdf documents are not fully accessible).

We’ll be adding more reports as the project progresses.

Site Study - Dunkeld Bridge, River Tay

Summary

The Dunkeld Bridge site on the River Tay was dominated on both banks by Japanese knotweed which was impacting biodiversity, limiting public access, exacerbating bank erosion and contributing to the further spread of the plant. …

The Rosy burn - building landowner partnerships and pooling resources to control Giant hogweed

Summary

This case study from the Rosy Burn – a small, low amenity tributary of the River Deveron in Aberdeenshire - looks at how low motivation amongst neighbouring landowners to tackle a shared Giant hogweed problem was overcome.

Commonly, and understandably,…

Assessing the most successful control method for the removal of White Butterbur

Summary

White butterbur is an invasive non-native species that is particularly prevalent across the North East of Scotland and causes serious environmental impacts along riparian corridors. To determine the best method of plant removal, two trial sites have been created…

Engaging and mobilising a community to manage invasive plant species on the River Bervie

Summary
The need to control Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed along the River Bervie in Aberdeenshire required the engagement and mobilisation of a community volunteering effort and partnership to be effective. The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative met with several…

Macduff Sheep Grazing Trial

Can sheep be used as a form of chemical-free, low intensity giant hogweed control?

Summary

This trial is a practical experiment to investigate how best land managers could use sheep to control substantial giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)…