Connemara National Park “infested” with invasive Rhododendron choking off plants

Connemara National Park has been “infested” by invasive Rhododendron which threatens native woodlands by choking new growth.

A report published by the Department of Housing, Local, Government, and Heritage declared that approximately a quarter of the park’s 2,000ha have been covered with invasive Rhododendron.

This is one of the “most problematic non-native invasive species” which currently threatens biodiversity in Ireland.

The report, published last week, was a Determination on Screening for Appropriate Assessment, which is related to proposals for clearing the Rhododendron from defined management areas within the park.

When Rhododendron has taken over an area, few native plants present before are able to survive, choking off light to new growth.

“In woodlands, only those trees which manage to grow above the level of the Rhododendron canopy will persist.”

“When such trees die, they cannot be replaced because seedlings cannot become established under the lightless canopy.”

“At this point, the Rhododendron completely dominates the area and stands accumulate into thick dense patches.”

The tissue of the plant is also unpalatable for most animals due to the presence of toxic chemicals, meaning it cannot be managed by grazing.

Larger flowers of Rhododendron can produce up to several million seeds a year, which can be spread up to 100m by wind, and remain viable in the ground for years.

The report, which proceeds the project, was to determine if there are likely to be an environmental impacts from the clearance works, which it said there would not.