Researchers have been running a four-year trial in a giant hogweed-dominated Aberdeenshire wood.
Sheep can help fight the spread of an invasive and highly toxic plant, according to results of a four-year project in Aberdeenshire.
Giant hogweed grows to heights of 5m and the sap in its leaves and stems can cause severe skin burns. It is usually controlled by spraying it with pesticides or by removing flowering heads to prevent the spread of tens of thousands of seeds.Since 2019, the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative has been monitoring sheep in a giant hogweed-dominated area of woodland near the River Deveron at Macduff.The study suggests the animals' feeding led to the plant's taproot dying off. The researchers found the "woolly warriors" were unaffected by the toxic sap.
SISI said the trial could lead to sheep being used in other places where they could be left to graze safely.Project officer Karen Muller said: "The monitoring undertaken was really important as it allowed us to adjust our grazing regime each year and find the right balance between grazing the giant hogweed and avoiding overgrazing - thereby protecting native plant species.
"We reduced grazing pressure over the first few years and settled on a regime that controlled giant hogweed with limited impacts on native flora."
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Researchers find that SARS-CoV-2 directly infects hepatocytes that cause hyperglycemiaResearchers find that SARS-CoV-2 directly infects hepatocytes that cause hyperglycemia PNASNews COVID19 SARSCoV2 covid hepatocytes hyperglycemia
Read more »
Can the consumption of cocoa and red berries improve cardiovascular biomarkers?Can the consumption of cocoa and red berries improve cardiovascular biomarkers? Nutrients_MDPI cocoa berries redberries cardio cardiovascular biomarkers cardiovascularbiomarkers disease cardiovasulardisease hearthealth
Read more »
Injectable fatty acid copolymer ARA 3000 BETA shows therapeutic potential in treating osteoarthritisInjectable fatty acid copolymer ARA 3000 BETA shows therapeutic potential in treating osteoarthritis SciReports umontpellier osteoarthritis therapy fattyacid copolymer injectable
Read more »
Higher sunlight and vitamin D exposure is associated with a lower likelihood of having high perceived stressHigher sunlight and vitamin D exposure is associated with a lower likelihood of having high perceived stress Nutrients_MDPI vitaminD sunlight exercise stress mentalhealth publichealth mediterraneandiet meddiet MD
Read more »
Can beer intake improve heart health following oxidative injury?Can beer intake improve heart health following oxidative injury? antioxidants_OA heart health myocardial tissue myocardialtissue beer fermented fermenteddrinks oxidativeinjury
Read more »
Novel antibodies target human receptors to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants and future sarbecovirusesNovel antibodies target human receptors to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants and future sarbecoviruses NatureMicrobiol antibodies covid COVID19 SARSCoV2 variants sarbecovirus monoclonalantibodies
Read more »