UPDATE: Invasive plants to be eradicated
EMMARENTIA – Joburg City Parks plans the gradual removal of invasive plants at Emmarentia Dam.
The eradication of the water hyacinth that invaded Emmarentia Dam is in progress.
This follows complaints from concerned residents about the increased level of the alien plant invasion.
Water hyacinth is described as a free-floating perennial plant that can grow to a height of about a metre. It is a very aggressive invader and also forms thick mats.
If these mats cover the entire surface of the pond they cause oxygen depletion which kills the fish.
City Parks and Zoo marketing manager, Jenny Moodley said the removal of the invasive plant is a lengthy process and is part of City Parks’ ongoing scheduled programmes.
“This focuses primarily on water bodies,” she said.
Moodley added that resources are limited and to ensure maximum impact, City Parks and Zoo targets areas that are highly populated.
“The process involves removing invasive species and then bulk transporting the plants to ensure that resources are effectively utilised.”
She concluded with an appeal to residents to be patient as they systematically address the problem of alien invasive plants in the City and, where possible, help in the eradication by visiting City Parks and Zoos’ website on www.jhbcityparks.com to identify and remove these oxygen guzzlers.
