Invasives
Invasive plants are species of plants that are not native to a specific region. Often they grow fast, spread easily and displace other plants. Invasive plants tend to grow in places where vegetation has been removed and the most aggressive invasive plants can actually invade existing ecosystems. Invasive plants are generally undesirable because they are difficult to control, can escape from cultivation and can dominate whole areas. For example, Japanese Knotwood and Purple Loosestrife are two plants that degrade ecosystems by out-competing native plants. Loss of native plants leads to impaired habitats for fish and other wildlife that depend on the presence of native plants to provide food, shade and shelter. Rare and threatened native species of plants and animals that occur in very small populations or limited areas are especially vulnerable to competition with invasives.
Viewer Tip: Trout Unlimited offers these tips to help manage invasive plants on your property:
- Minimize landscape disturbance. Invasive plants thrive on bare soil and ground where native plants have been removed. The key to controlling invasive plants is to protect healthy native plant communities.
- Scout your property annually for invasive plants or other problems. The best way to control invasive plants is prevention.
- Remove invasive plants before they are a problem. Effective scouting or monitoring means that problems are found while they are still small and easily controllable. Do not let invasive plants grow seeds.
Learn more about “most wanted” invasive plants and how to control them from the Plant Conservation Alliance: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/factmain.htm.
This information is provided by Trout Unlimited. Learn more at http://www.tu.org/.
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