EVALUATION OF CONTROL METHODS FOR SOSNOWSKY\u27S HOGWEED HERACLEUM SOSNOWSKYI IN REZEKNE MUNICIPALITY: THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF EXPERTS

An increasing number of scientists as well as the public discuss the spread of invasive alien species that replace local species. One of such species is Sosnowsky’s hogweed that creates problems to land owners and managers as well as local residents in Rezekne municipality.The aim of the paper is to assess expert opinions on the application of control methods for Sosnowsky’s hogweed in Rezekne municipality. To achieve the aim, the following specific research tasks were set: 1) to describe the situation with the spread of Sosnowsky’s hogweed in Rezekne municipality; 2) to identify the most effective methods of control for Sosnowsky\u27s hogweed and their application in Rezekne municipality by employing the expert method.Research methods used: monographic, descriptive, analysis, synthesis, data grouping and a sociological method – an expert survey/interview. Kendall’s W was employed to analyse the extent of agreement among the experts.The research results showed that in general the experts were quite unanimous (W=0.59) and regarded the combined method, chemical control (application of herbicides) and soil tillage as the most effective methods to control Sosnowsky\u27s hogweed. Also, the experts supposed that land owners and managers in Rezekne municipality did not choose the most effective and efficient control methods for Sosnowsky\u27s hogweed.The paper has been elaborated with the financial support of Rezekne Academy of Technologies provided through a research grant