{"id":38452,"date":"2025-07-02T12:30:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T10:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pl-ua.eu\/?p=38452"},"modified":"2025-07-23T08:28:45","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T06:28:45","slug":"fighting-the-green-invader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pl-ua.eu\/en\/fighting-the-green-invader\/","title":{"rendered":"Fighting the Green Invader"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The last environmental project entitled \u201c<\/em>Protecting the biodiversity of cross-border territories of Ukraine and Poland from invasive hogweed (Heracleum) populations\u201d (acronym: ZeroHeracleum) <\/em>has been signed. <\/em>It is jointly developed by Lviv Agrarian Chamber, Stepan Gzhytskyi National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies of Lviv, Maria Curie-Sk\u0142odowska University in Lublin, University of Life Sciences in Lublin and Lublin Chamber of Agriculture. The project sets an ambitious goal to stop the spread of one of the most dangerous invasive plant species in Europe \u2013 Sosnowsky\u2019s hogweed (Heracleum sosnowskyi).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hogweed isn\u2019t just a botanical nuisance \u2013 It\u2019s a serious threat to both the environment and public health. Originally brought from the Caucasus to Russia in the 1940s as a high-yield animal fodder plant, it was widely cultivated across Eastern Europe, including Ukraine and Poland. Unfortunately, what was once seen as a valuable agricultural asset quickly turned into an uncontrollable and toxic invader. In Poland, the hogweed was introduced in the 1950s and actively cultivated until the 1980s. Since then, it has spread rapidly. In Ukraine, its presence is also growing, particularly along river valleys and disturbed rural areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sosnowsky\u2019s hogweed produces massive amounts of seeds – up to 20,000 per plant – that are easily spread by wind, water, and even human activity. The plant thrives in disturbed areas such as roadsides, abandoned fields, and riverbanks. Because of its rapid spread and harmful impact, it\u2019s now recognized by the European Union as one of the top 14 invasive species of concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its dangers extend beyond ecology. The plant’s sap contains toxic chemicals called furanocoumarins<\/em>, which react with sunlight and can cause severe skin burns and long-term scarring. Its towering size, aggressive growth, and resilience make it extremely difficult to eradicate once established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ZeroHeracleum<\/em> project involves a comprehensive approach, i.e. early detection, mapping of infested areas, development of an interactive GIS mobile application, and the physical removal of hogweed. It also includes scientific research on the plant\u2019s genetic and biochemical data, its dependence on environmental conditions for growth, and the identification of antagonist plants that suppress hogweed growth. These measures aim to find effective methods for localising and eradicating hogweed, monitoring its spread, and restoring natural biodiversity in cleared areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Over more than 25 years of operation, Lviv Agrarian Chamber has implemented many useful and interesting projects. However, the ZeroHeracleum Project is special because it addresses an environmental issue of international significance, with communities from both Ukraine and Poland involved in solving it. We hope that thorough scientific research combined with practical measures will ensure the achievement of the desired result \u2014 identifying the most effective methods for eradicating hogweed and applying them in practice. These results are awaited by local communities where the plant\u2019s population is rapidly expanding<\/p>\n