Information on measures and related costs in relation to species included on the Union list: Pennisetum setaceum. Technical note prepared by IUCN for the European Commission.

Abstract

Pennisetum setaceum is a wind-dispersed, perennial, C4, bunch grass native to arid regions in the Middle East and North Africa. P. setaceum is apomictic and although it reproduces mainly by seed, it can form pseudo-viviparous plantlets when the inflorescences are inundated. Apart from the biological characteristics of P. setaceum, many other factors need to be considered during the implementation of preventive measures, such as the pathways via which P. setaceum can enter new areas. Actually, the main pathway is the voluntary introduction in the EU and within EU countries mainly as an ornamental, but accidental pathways are possible as well. Preventive measures and biosecurity strategies could not be any longer effective to avoid the introduction in the EU, but of course they will reduce further spread within the EU and new introductions in the EU. Plenty of established populations have been detected in Portugal, in Spain (including Baleares and Canary Islands), France, Italy (including Sardinia, Sicily and small Sicilian islets), in Malta and Cyprus. In addition, P. setaceum is reported also for Greece in the island of Lesvos, and for Bulgaria and Slovenia.
Early Detection and Rapid Eradication (EDRE) of P. setaceum should be included in a general surveillance programme concerning a selected group of invasive alien plant species that might be introduced by the same pathways and in the same points of entry, which might invade similar habitats and corridors such as roadside verges and rivers or disturbed land. At the same time, it is very likely that new outbreaks will be found close to large towns, and large green areas in urbanised areas. In addition, due to its very high capacity to colonise bare soils, disturbed areas should be prioritised for monitoring. This has to include human disturbance (e.g. mining, urbanisation, fires etc.) and natural disturbance (fires, current volcanic eruptions). Mediterranean coastal areas in the EU have to be prioritised for monitoring.
The prolific production of long-lived seed hinders control efforts once fountain grass is established. Control strategies should be included in dedicated strategic management plan and focus on removing seed heads and reducing seed production. Treatment priority should be assigned to small or sporadic infestations upon otherwise healthy sites, followed by larger infestations. A combination of mechanical and chemical control (such as foliar spray) should be considered. Choice of control method for P. setaceum depends on the current land use and site conditions; accessibility, terrain, and climate; density and degree of infestation; non-target flora and fauna present and Member States legislation. Other considerations include treatment effectiveness, cost, and the number of years needed to achieve control.
Land managers, the local public, and road crews should be educated in identification of invasive species so they can help report all suspected infestations. Vehicles, humans, and domestic animals should be discouraged from traveling through infested areas; and a programme to check and remove seeds from vehicles, clothing, and domestic animals should be implemented to help stop dispersal. Since P. setaceum is currently promoted as an ornamental, coordination with local nurseries to withdraw it from the market is necessary. Management measures can be very effective in reducing further spread in the EU, and mitigating negative impacts in nature conservation areas invaded by P. setaceum. The measures would be quite costly, but effective.
[Available at: https://www.iucn.org/theme/species/our-work/invasive-species/eu-regulation-invasive-alien-species]