Vier Jahre „Berliner Aktionsprogramm gegen Ambrosia“: Erfolge und Grenzen

Abstract

The spread and durability of harmful neophytes such as Ambrosia (ragweed) will increase due to global warming and ever rising globalization. Therefore, in the past years two Ambrosia spp. have established in Berlin. The “Berlin Action programme against Ambrosia” was started in order to monitor the occurrence of the two species in Berlin and to reduce their populations as far as possible. From 2009 to 2012 on average 1.000 populations per year were discovered. In Berlin two species occur, the annual A. artemisiifolia and the perennial A. psilostachya which release their highly allergenic pollen in late summer. The annual herb, which is mostly introduced with bird seed, is often distributed in small populations with up to 10 plants throughout the city and can be successfully controlled by frequenty repeated measures. More problematic is the control of the perennial species which is found in large quantities with more than 1.000 plants and concentrated in the eastern part of the city. Except for constant mowing no other control measures have been tried. Accordingly, there is a need for taking action and developing a process to minimize and eradicate existing populations (A. psilostachya) through cooperation with the city authorities (environment, health, agriculture and engineering).

Keywords

• Ambrosia-atlas
• Ambrosia artemisiifolia
• Ambrosia psilostachya
• Ambrosia-scouts
• ragweed