Mikania micrantha is a perennial herb originally grown in Central and South America. It was deliberately introduced to Taiwan many years ago due to its greening effect on covering bare land. Due to the lack of natural enemies and its strong adaptability and reproductive ability, the Mikania micrantha has spread rapidly, seriously damaging the original species and the ecological environment. Nowadays, Mikania micrantha appears in large numbers in the central and southern regions of Taiwan, and it is listed as one of the ten most invasive alien species in Taiwan.
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| The staff of the TEIA introduced Mikania micrantha |
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| Looking around, on the opposite side of the mountain wall are countless Mikania micrantha vines |
This time Phison Electronics cooperated with the Taiwan Environmental Information Association (TEIA) to use the weekend to call on company colleagues to participate in the "Green Cancer" removal activity. The venue was at the friendly farming orchard in Luliaokeng Qionglin Township, Hsinchu County. Looking up at the opposite mountain wall, there are countless Mikania micrantha vines climb up along the bottom of trees, entwining the plants and shielding the sunlight, making the trees lose the space in contact with the sunlight, and thus unable to perform photosynthesis, and finally ended up with withering.
There are many control methods for Mikania micrantha. The most effective method without damaging the environment is to uproot the vines, and then remove them after exposure to the sun, to prevent the vines from contacting the ground to grow and spread again. The manual removal method also prevents environmental damage from herbicides and burning. While understanding the friendly farming methods, the on-site volunteers worked hard and cleared ten bags of Mikania micrantha vines in one morning.
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| Phison’s volunteers participated in eco-friendly farming and removing invasive species |
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| Group photo of volunteers |
The manual removal method can control the damage area to an acceptable level. With the gradual attention of the government, more and more tips for removal of Mikania micrantha have been published. It is hoped that in the future, the hazards of Mikania micrantha will be more effectively controlled, and environmental sustainability will be achieved in a friendly and ecological way. Phison will continue to participate and contribute to the land of Taiwan.