Cíes Islands volunteers remove 15,000 invasive plant shoots

Volunteers from the Atlantic Islands National Park have removed more than 15,000 shoots of coniza, an invasive plant species, from the Cíes Islands. The initiative aims to contain the spread of this North American plant, which has been present in Galicia for decades.

Conyza canadensis, a common variety, can reach approximately 1.5 meters in height. The species reproduces via seeds equipped with parachute-like structures that allow the wind to disperse them over long distances. This high reproductive capacity makes the plant difficult to control, as new specimens often reappear in previously cleared areas.

While the plant poses no direct threat to humans, it presents a significant environmental risk to sensitive ecosystems like the Cíes Islands. The proliferation of exotic species can lead to competition with native flora and disrupt the ecological balance of the archipelago. This intervention is part of a broader conservation strategy that includes monitoring and controlling other invasive species such as acacia, eucalyptus, and African daisy.