Home / Environment / River Soar Choked by Invasive Weed: Charity Appeals for Help
River Soar Choked by Invasive Weed: Charity Appeals for Help
27 Apr
Summary
- Floating pennywort weed grows up to 20cm daily, doubling its weight rapidly.
- Dense weed mats harm fishing, canoeing, native plants, and aquatic life.
- Charity seeks £65,000 for weed removal, with most funds for River Soar.
An invasive weed species, floating pennywort, is posing a significant challenge to the River Soar in Leicestershire. This plant, introduced to the UK in the 1980s, exhibits extremely rapid growth, capable of spreading up to 20cm per day and doubling its mass in just three days. The resulting dense mats across the waterway disrupt various activities, including fishing and canoeing, and critically endanger the river's ecosystem.
This aggressive growth suffocates native plant species, hindering their ability to photosynthesize and survive. Consequently, fish and invertebrates struggle with reduced oxygen levels, leading to habitat loss and potential die-offs. The Canal and River Trust highlights that the River Soar, from Leicester to the River Trent, is particularly affected.
Last year, volunteers spent around 400 hours removing the weed by hand. However, as the season progresses, manual removal becomes increasingly difficult and costly. The trust anticipates spending approximately £65,000 on contractor-led removal this year, primarily for the River Soar.
The Environment Agency is exploring additional funding for a meticulous removal program. This involves carefully hand-picking every piece of floating pennywort and monitoring for new growth to protect the river's biodiversity.
