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Impact of sea buckthorn Hippophae
on sand dunes
Hippophae is one of the most invasive species
on sand dune systems particularly in the UK. It causes particular problems where
in has been introduced outside its natural range. Thus in the north and west
Britain and in Ireland it has had a significant impact. At many sites it was
either introduced to help stabilise eroding dunes, or spread naturally from
adjacent areas. However, where its introduction coincided with the demise of
the rabbit
it simply served to accelerate the development of scrub at the expense of open
dune vegetation.
This invasion became a major conservation issue in the 1970s (Ranwell
1972b) when it was found to:
- increase nutrient status of dune soils;
- replace botanically interesting plant communities;
- decrease plant diversity;
- facilitate the establishment of other invasive woody species;
- affect all stages in dune succession;
- be hard to control.
A recent review has been undertaken of the status of the species (Dargie
2002). On the east coast of England where it is thought to be native,
control to allow development without overwhelming existing open dune vegetation
is the preferred strategy.
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Guidance: Hippophae should
not be introduced to important sand dune areas. Although it has some positive
attributes, the impacts identified above suggest that control
or eradication is still an important management objective, where it poses
a threat to the nature conservation interest on sand dunes.
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References
Dargie, T.C.D.
2002.
Ecological Assessment of Hippophae rhamnoides.
English Nature Contract Report, I2.5.2-2
English Nature.
Ranwell, D.S.
1972b.
The Management of Sea Buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides on Selected Sites in Great Britain.
Report of the Hippophae Study Group
The Nature Conservancy, Norwich.
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