The “Game of Clones” project is intended to introduce the problem of the rapid and aggressive clonal spread of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) in a playful way. Scientists from various departments and young researchers from BORG Spittal will carry out research and experiments together and thus thoroughly research the plant's behavior.

Methods such as genetic sequencing of marker genes to differentiate hybrids (DNA barcoding) or observing rhizome growth using rhizoboxes are used. We would like to use the results to spatially model the plant's dispersal behavior under different conditions and process it in a strategy game “Game of Clones”. Depending on the initial situation, different measures and combinations of measures can be used to curb Fallopia growth and thus lead to success.

The “Game of Clones” project is carried out in collaboration between the ECO Institute for Ecology, the Institute for Networked and Embedded Systems at the Alpen-Adria University Klagenfurt, the HBLFA Raumberg Gumpenstein and the Carinthian State Museum.