SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE Nov. 29 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife, in partnership with Aena, has removed 6.5 tonnes of ‘pampa plume’ (Cortadeira Selloana) from the landscaped areas of Tenerife South Airport.
This initiative is part of a campaign aimed at controlling the plume, an invasive exotic species characterised by rapid growth and a high reproductive capacity that poses a threat to the island’s biodiversity.
Specifically, the total annual expenditure for the campaign amounts to 997,000 euros, of which 784,675.93 euros are derived from European EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development) funds.
The Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, notes in a statement that efforts to manage invasive exotic vegetation continue in order to safeguard ecosystems.
In this instance, she highlights that “collaboration with other administrations and entities is vital for the continued removal of cat’s tail and other species introduced in the last century for decorative purposes that pose risks to our native species.”
The operations have been conducted by the public organisation Gesplan and involved the manual removal of 38 plume plants of various sizes.
The aim of the operation at Tenerife South Airport is to halt the spread of this species, as the high volume of foot and vehicle traffic at the airport could inadvertently aid in the dispersion of its seeds.
Blanca Pérez reminds that “trading or possessing this species is prohibited, as it is listed in the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Species and is also acknowledged by the European Union, which mandates member states to combat its eradication or management.”
The control actions implemented by the island council under Gesplan’s directive, supported by EAFRD funding, are part of broader strategies to manage invasive exotic species across the island, with a particular focus on garden areas where the ‘Pampa duster’ thrives, a species that, once naturalised, displaces native flora and significantly disrupts the island’s ecosystems.
Through this initiative to manage such invasive plant life, the Cabildo of Tenerife reaffirms its dedication to biodiversity conservation and urges the public to assist in this endeavour by refraining from planting exotic species in their gardens and reporting the presence of invasive specimens in any natural or landscaped area.
INTRODUCED TO THE ISLAND IN THE LATE SIXTIES
The ‘pampa plume’ was brought to the island for ornamental use in the late 60s and early 70s of the previous century and has since developed into a significant issue due to its considerable reproductive capabilities and its ability to occupy the soil readily through its roots.
It is listed in Royal Decree 630/2013, dated August 2, which governs the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Species.
Article 7 of this regulatory document, concerning the consequences of a species being added to the catalogue, states that “the inclusion of a species in the catalogue entails the general prohibition of its possession, transport, trafficking, and trade of live or dead specimens, their remains, or propagules, including international trade.”
From the EU’s standpoint, based on the Convention on Biological Diversity (Decision 93/626/EEC) adopted by the Council, it stipulates that member nations shall prevent the introduction, control, or eradication of exotic species that pose threats to ecosystems, habitats, or species.