ZeroHeracleum

About the project

Protecting biodiversity in the cross-border areas of Ukraine and Poland from invasive populations of hogweed (Heracleum)

Lead partner of the project

Lviv Agrarian Chamber

Priority

Environment

Budget

1 676 036,47 EUR

Funding

1 508 432,82 EUR

Number the project

PLUA.01.03-IP.01-0008/23

Duration

June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2027
24 months

The rapid spread of invasive plant species is causing enormous damage to biodiversity and the environment. Invasive plants displace native species, creating monocultures and simplifying wildlife habitats. In Ukraine and Poland, more than 80 plant species cause damage to agriculture and forestry.

The objectives of the project are to assess the occurrence and diversity, as well as to control and monitor invasive populations of Sosnovsky hogweed on the Polish-Ukrainian border. The project covers the Lviv Oblast in Ukraine and Lubelskie, Podlaskie and Podkarpackie voivodeships in Poland.

Effective measures to combat invasive hogweed will be tested and applied. These are intended to prevent the spread of this plant and help restore natural diversity. So far, there is no detailed information on the spatial distribution of hogweed and its impact on nature. Through various remote sensing survey methods (satellite and aerial), project partners expand their knowledge on this subject. Thanks to WebMap technology for sharing results, open access to knowledge on biodiversity and invasive alien species will be provided. Information on known hogweed locations will be gathered from local communities via the WebGIS application. An analysis of satellite images will be carried out to identify new locations of the dangerous hogweed species. Computer equipment will be purchased to enable the analysis. A promotional and information campaign (video and paper materials, training for all age groups) will spread awareness of the problem in local communities.

A cross-border approach to combating hogweed is necessary for the following reasons:

The spread of this invasive species knows no bounds: natural barriers do not stop hogweed, so control must be a joint effort;
Shared resources and ecosystems: The Ukrainian-Polish border region has shared rivers, forests, and landscapes, so effective control of hogweed requires cooperation between both countries;
Harmonization of actions: it is necessary to jointly block the paths of hogweed invasion and ensure the sustainable functioning of natural ecosystems;
Joint monitoring: sharing info between countries will make sure we can deal with the spread of hogweed effectively and help us improve how we control it;
Joint scientific research: this will contribute to the introduction of innovative methods of population control and restoration of biodiversity in natural ecosystems;
Ensuring sustainability and long-term results: a cross-border approach allows for the creation of an effective joint system for monitoring and controlling hogweed.

The joint, cross-border approach to the conservation of biodiversity against an invasive species will ensure an exchange of experience and cooperation between project partners. It will enable a comprehensive assessment of the status of hogweed populations and the testing of control methods on a larger scale. It will make it possible to monitor and limit the dispersal routes of the species under study. The areas where the project will be implemented are connected by the border river Bug, which is a site of hogweed propagation. By eliminating the threat of invasive plants, the quality of life for residents and the environment will be improved.

Partners

Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology named after S. Z. Gzhytsky

University of Life Sciences in Lublin

Maria Curie-Skłodowska University

Lublin Chamber of Agriculture

About Borshchivnik

Information about the plant

Description, biological characteristics, risks to health and the environment

Sosnowski’s hogweed (Heracleum sosnowskyi) is a large perennial invasive plant of the celery family, native to the Caucasus and introduced to Europe as a fodder crop. Due to its toxicity and aggressive spread, it quickly became one of the most dangerous invasive species in many countries, including Ukraine and Poland. The plant is distinguished by its considerable size: it usually reaches a height of 2–4 meters, sometimes up to 5 meters; it has a thick hollow stem with purple spots, huge dissected leaves, and large white umbel inflorescences up to 80 centimeters in diameter. One plant can produce 20,000 to 100,000 seeds, which are easily spread by water, wind, and animals, remaining viable in the soil for up to 5–7 years. Due to its high adaptability, rapid growth, and lack of natural enemies in Europe, hogweed forms dense monocultures, displaces native species, and causes degradation of natural ecosystems, especially along rivers, roads, abandoned lands, and agricultural landscapes. It poses a serious threat to human health, as its sap contains phototoxic furanocoumarins, which cause severe chemical burns to the skin when exposed to sunlight. Contact with the plant can lead to blisters, prolonged dermatitis, and even hospitalization. Effective control of hogweed requires comprehensive measures, including mechanical removal, herbicide application, agronomic methods, and long-term monitoring, as a single treatment is not effective. Due to its aggressive. It poses a serious threat to human health, as its sap contains phototoxic furanocoumarins, which cause severe chemical burns to the skin when exposed to sunlight. Contact with the plant can lead to blisters, prolonged dermatitis, and even hospitalization. Effective control of hogweed requires comprehensive measures, including mechanical removal, herbicide application, agronomic methods, and long-term monitoring, as a single treatment is not effective. Due to its aggressiveness, Sosnowski’s hogweed poses a significant environmental, social, and economic threat that requires systematic control and coordination at the local and national levels.

Instructions for identifying the plant

Hogweed can be recognized by the following characteristics: tall, thick stem (up to 1.5–5 m) with edges, often with red spots. It has large, rough, pinnately dissected leaves resembling rhubarb or burdock leaves, and large white or greenish-white umbrella-shaped inflorescences similar to dill. The plant often grows on roadsides, wastelands, and near rivers.

Recommendations for the public, farmers, and municipal services on prevention and actions to take when in contact with the plant

Sosnowski’s hogweed (Heracleum sosnowskyi) is easily recognizable by its characteristic features: it is very large (usually 2–4 m tall), has a thick hollow stem with purple spots, massive dissected leaves up to 1–1.5 m long, and large white umbellate inflorescences up to 50–80 cm in diameter. One plant produces tens of thousands of seeds that remain viable in the soil for several years, so its appearance in an area quickly leads to the formation of dense monocultures. Hogweed is most often found on roadsides, banks of water bodies, abandoned lands, in ditches, and on open disturbed areas. Recommendations for the public, farmers, and utility services include avoiding contact with the plant and its sap, which is phototoxic and can cause severe burns. Work on contaminated areas should only be carried out in protective clothing that completely covers the skin, using gloves, safety glasses, and rubber boots. After being near the plant, wash your hands and face, and clean your clothes and tools. If the sap gets on your skin, immediately wash the affected area with soap and water and avoid sunlight for at least 48 hours. If redness, swelling, blisters, or pain appear, seek medical attention, as phototoxic burns may require medical treatment. It is also recommended to notify local authorities or utility services about new plant outbreaks and not to move soil or plant debris from infected areas. Additional materials and clarifications regarding plant identification and practical recommendations will be developed and added during the project implementation.

About methods of control and prevention

In the project “Protecting the biodiversity of cross-border areas of Ukraine and Poland from invasive populations of hogweed (Heracleum),” all of the above methods will be researched, tested, and implemented in practice in the border regions of Ukraine and Poland. In particular, we will combine mechanical and chemical approaches, evaluate their effectiveness in different natural conditions, apply modern remote sensing technologies to detect and monitor hogweed hotspots, and create an open map of the species’ distribution. The results will be integrated into the environmental monitoring system, used for practical land management, and shared with municipalities and communities for further use. This way, the project will help develop an effective cross-border strategy to control Sosnowski’s hogweed and restore natural ecosystems in the border regions of Ukraine and Poland.

Plant control methods

Control and monitoring methods include mapping hotspots, GPS tracking of territories, remote monitoring using drones or satellite imagery, and regular repeat surveys to assess the effectiveness of control measures. Maintaining a detailed database on population status, changes in distribution areas, and intervention results allows for the adjustment of eradication strategies and the prediction of recurrent outbreaks. Successful control requires many years of observation, as the plant’s seed bank can remain in the soil for several seasons in a row.

Methods of control

Methods of combating hogweed require a long-term and comprehensive approach. The most common are mechanical measures: digging up the taproot, repeated seasonal mowing, cutting off inflorescences before seeds form, and covering areas with light-impermeable material. In large areas or in places of intensive spread, chemical methods are used — spot application of systemic herbicides by certified specialists. After removing the plants, it is important to restore the vegetation cover by sowing perennial grass mixtures, which prevents the seeds from sprouting again.

The spread of hogweed

Identification of locations where Sosnowski’s hogweed is found

Mobile application for determining location

Our mobile app is designed for quick and convenient mapping of Sosnowski’s hogweed locations. With its help, each user can add a point indicating the location of the plant, a photo, and additional information. This helps to create an up-to-date map of the spread of this dangerous invasive species and to support measures for its control and elimination.

The app opens via a link or QR code.
The app is free, but requires access to geolocation while in use. This is necessary to automatically determine the coordinates of the point you add to the map.