Invasive and problematic species
Invasive exotic plants
In Barcelona some exotic plants have an invasive behaviour and displace the native flora, leading to a degradation of the city's natural habitats.
What are they?
Those that live outside their natural area, and can easily disperse and reproduce in habitats that are outside their natural range.
These species that intrude into the ecosystems or natural or semi-natural habitats are usually a threat to biological diversity, either because of their invasive behaviour or because of the risk of genetic contamination.
What problems do they present?
Gardening is one of the main ways of introducing invasive plants into the natural environment. This can pose a threat to the environment.
The parks and gardens staff and managers, and the gardening sector in general, have a responsibility to prevent the spread of these species into the natural environment. In the case of Barcelona, towards the Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola or towards the Besòs and Llobregat rivers.
What actions should be taken?
To manage this problem of invasive plants, Barcelona City Council has set in motion two major lines of action:
Identification and prevention
Identify invasive plant species and propose alternative species that do not present this risk. The invasive plants are studied and alternatives are proposed.
Management and eradication
Manage and, if possible, eradicate invasive species that are already present in the city's parks, gardens and other green spaces.
Climate change and plant species
Climate change means that in the future we will need to make use of plant species that are better adapted to the new climatic conditions.
This adaptability is, nevertheless, one of the defining traits of invasive plants. For this reason, it is essential to assess the invasive potential of new species in advance to prevent them from becoming invasive.
Problematic fauna
In the area of fauna, some animals require specific management to control their populations. This is the case of pigeons and wild boars.
The Directorate of Animal Rights Services is responsible for managing these overpopulated species in Barcelona city.
