On 16 September, a field visit was carried out with volunteers in the CS1 and CS2 transects of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, in order to observe and identify the invasive species present in these transects that need to be monitored.

Observing the invasive plants in transect CS2 in Sant Feliu de Guíxols

This field visit had been proposed by a volunteer, due to the difficulty of distinguishing populations in these transects. Nine volunteers took part in the visit (4 of whom were new) and it was possible to observe the most invasive species on the cliffs of the Costa Brava, such as Ailanthus altissima, Arundo donax (reed), Carpobrotus (cat’s claw), Cenchrus longisetus  and Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear), which is very affected by the mealybug on this transect.

Of particular note are the populations of Senecio angulatus, which seriously affected the mastic populations. This senecio is one of the most invasive plants in Catalonia (see news in the blog).

There was quite a lot of Chenopodium nutans, with some dry individuals due to the summer heat. We could not estimate the number of individuals of this species as they formed fairly continuous patches along the whole route, so we grouped them by population areas in order to be able to monitor them.

Leaves of Lonicera japonica. ©Francesc Caralt, Flora Catalana

Matthiola incana. Fotografia: Javier Martínez.

Along the route we saw large expanses of Lonicera japonica, which was not in flower at this time of year, but was very easy to recognise because of its opposite, ciliated leaves.

There was also a considerable presence of Matthiola incana, with most of the siliques (typical capsular fruit of the cruciferae) dried. Remember that in these cases it is important to note on the monitoring form that the individuals are reproductive because they have fruits.

At the end of the visit, breakfast was served, reminding us that the next field visit on 30 September will be somewhat different from the ones we have done so far: we will not do a monitoring transect, but will go to Cap de Creus (Mas Caials) to get to know habitat 1240, which is the target habitat of LIFE medCLIFFS and which contains several endangered endemics: two limoniums (Limonium geronense and L. tremolsii) and Seseli farrenyi.

Final group photo

Text: Neus Ibáñez.