News
2014-06-16
Pasturage to control invasive plants in Ramioul (BE)
Almost one hectare of vegetation under high-tension line Awirs-Rimières is now managed by around 20 sheeps of the ardennais tacheté race.
A clear safety cut was made before the start of the pasturage. In order to fight against black locust's sukers, the place has been rotary slashed in spring 2014. Then 500 meters of fences have been installed to keep the cattle safe.
A cheap way to control invasive plants
The challenge here is quite interesting since these sheeps will help to control the development of the invasive plants called Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica). On infested patches, our partners the Agronomic Technologies Center of Strée and the préhistosite de Ramioul who are looking after the sheeps will fight against the Japanse knotweed by moving mobile fences within the fenced perimeter.
This vegetation management might in the future reveals itself being cheaper that the classic rotary slashing used to avoid any trees touching the aerial lines.
A touristic and educational aspect
This plot of 8.300 meters square ares is located just at a stone's throw away from an prehistoric educational center of Ramioul regularly visited by children. Pasturage will therefore be led with a low load all along the year.
This project is a good answer to the following question : how to combine electricity transport and biodiversity, economy and more widely society ?
