(ORDO NEWS) — Swiss authorities call thorny plants a threat to biodiversity. According to official figures, in some areas cacti already account for up to a third of the total vegetation cover.
In Switzerland, the mountain slopes of the canton of Valais have begun to take over invasive (introduced and overwhelming native species) cacti of the prickly pear family.
Their spread is favored by global warming, which has made the climate in the Alps milder, local biologists say.
According to the authorities of the region, in some places prickly pear already make up to 30% of the low vegetation cover.
As the biologist of the conservation service of the canton of Valais Jan Tryponez told The Guardian, these cacti have been present in the local nature since at least the end of the 19th century, when prickly pear was brought to Switzerland from North America.
But until recently, their spread was held back by cold and snowy weather during the winter months.
As the snow line in the mountains retreated, nine species of prickly pear spread along the sunny, south-facing slopes up to 700 m above sea level.
The scientist noted that the authorities are concerned about the expansion of cacti in nature reserves and protected areas, as they crowd out any other vegetation, including endemic (growing only in a certain area) and endangered species.
Local researcher Peter Baumgartner added that prickly pear have a rare survivability, which makes it very difficult to deal with them.
They are able to continue to reproduce even when they are cut down at the root, pulled out of the ground or deprived of moisture for several months. In addition, cacti relatively easily tolerate temperatures down to -15 ° C.
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