Asian knotweeds and linear transport infrastructures

Abstract

Asian knotweeds are invasive alien species that, due to their colonization capacity, rapid growth and dense foliage, have a significant impact on transport infrastructure. In addition to ecological and landscape issues, they involve safety requirements and require more extensive and complex management of the rights-of-way concerned. The spatial dynamics of knotweeds during the colonization of an area is still poorly understood. Many biotic and abiotic factors interfere with this dynamic. The management and maintenance methods of green dependencies also seem to play a role, either negatively by contributing to the dispersion of knotweeds, or positively by limiting their spatial development. Each type of infrastructure (road, rail or waterborne) has its own specificities and management constraints that influence the development of knotweeds.