A PWLLHELI student who is on a mission to control an aggressive alien plant invader, has been dubbed ‘Rhodocop’.

According to Gruffydd Jones, who has just started a PhD at Aberystwyth university, it is difficult to control Rhododendron, and consequently Wales’ biodiversity is under threat.

Gruffydd will be working with Snowdonia National Park and Natural Resources Wales and is funded jointly by Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and Aberystwyth university.

Rhododendron spreads rapidly, invading vast areas of land.

It is estimated that the total area covered by Rhododendron in Snowdonia National Park is equivalent to around 5,000 football pitches.

Snowdonia National Park Authority, National Trust and Natural Resources Wales have been very successful in controlling this species in north Wales using slash and burn plus application of herbicide to any regrowth.

However, this process is costly and labour intensive, and it does not stop Rhododendron seedlings from establishing on cleared sites.

Gruffydd from Pwllheli said: “I am determined get to the root of this problem, and aim to contribute to the end of this ecological tyranny by focusing entirely on the soil, making the soil unwelcome for those seeds to germinate and establish in the future.

“If we can we manipulate the soil where it grows, then this species would not be able to re-establish by seed, post clearance. Some gardeners even find it very hard to grow ornamental Rhododendrons because of the soil, so this is something we can work with.”

Read the full story in the latest north editions of the Cambrian News, in shops now