On Umeå municipality’s land, it occurs in several places that invasive species spread freely. Among other things, the giant balsam is ravaging the municipality’s tip at Ersmark.
The alien species has no place in our ecosystem and pushes out the native fauna and can completely take over an area. Invasive species are a strong threat to our biodiversity.
Many of the species cause great damage and costs in the form of control. In Holmsund, the giant balsam has spread over an area of 3.5 hectares. The plant will now be fought with hired sheep.
– In five years, we hope the giant balsam will be completely extinct in this place, says Johan Bäckman.
The county board, which is responsible for the supervision of invasive species, has sent a warning to the municipality – if they do not fix the problem, there will be a fine.