A survey carried out by SVT Nyheter shows that the county administrations around Sweden lower the priority of work against invasive species – this also applies in Uppsala County.
– The money we have received is actually enough for salaries, but we do not have the budget to buy measures, says Artur Larsson, head of unit at the county administrative board in Uppsala’s nature conservation unit, and continues:
– At least when it comes to terrestrial species. The sea and water authority has received a little more money, there is also money for measures.
For terrestrial species, Uppsala County has a budget of SEK 770,300 in 2023. In 2022, it was SEK 2,103,910. For aquatic species in 2023, the budget is SEK 1,411,827, in 2022 it was SEK 1,652,127.
Has given effect
The removal of invasive plant species is important for maintaining biodiversity. But the work can now be limited. This despite the fact that the preventive work that the Uppsala County Administrative Board is already doing is showing an effect – for example in Siggefora northwest of Uppsala. Mattias Rennström at the county board works with invasive species at the nature conservation unit.
– This is the third year in a row that we have been here digging up the flower lupine, and we can see that it has had a great effect. There is not nearly as much lupine here now as there was then, he says.
Watch Mattias Rennström fight the invasive flower lupine in the clip above.