Spartina invasive species, colonising mudflats of Severn Estuary

Spartina (Sporobolus anglicus) invasive species, colonises large areas of tidal mudflats at Severn Estuary. The species was introduced initially for coastal erosion control due to its dense root system binding with coastal mud and increasing silt deposition. However the rapid spread of vegetation by rhizomes, smothering natural ecosystems and preventing birds like waders from feeding.