Stop invasives

The French-Swiss INTERREG project "Stop invasives" consists in developing an innovative solution, an alternative to chemical treatments, against the spread of neophytes, such as Japanese knotweed.

The method tested within the framework of the project involves two stages:

1. The elimination of invasive species using a technique based on deep thermal sterilization, developed by the industrial partners.
2. The reconstitution of environments by the establishment of plant species capable of competing on a lasting basis with neophytes, within the framework of protocols developed by the entire partnership.

Simultaneously, a scientific monitoring is realized studying several environment components, such as flora, soil fauna and bacteria, ground temperature. This will allow assessing this method’s efficacy and potential impacts, and to compare it to other methods.

The results of this experimentation will provide a decision-making tool for public actors in land management, in particular to preserve biodiversity and landscapes.