Invasive Plants
To understand invasive plants, imagine the
land as the human body and each plant species as a type of bacteria. The body needs
beneficial native bacteria to stay healthy. When functioning properly, our
biological system keeps these microbes in line and running smoothly. But when destructive
foreign bacteria infiltrate the system, the body doesn’t know how to respond.
Without a means to suppress the invaders, the foreign germs take over and we
get sick.
The same happens with invasive plants. Humans either intentionally or accidentally move non-native organisms to new regions where they grow and reproduce quickly. In these new habitats they have few predators, and out-compete native plants for resources. As a result, the diversity of native plants declines.
This is problematic for an ecosystem. A diverse plant community supports a diverse animal community and makes an ecosystem more resilient to disease. Every species fulfills an ecological role, called a “niche.” In diverse ecosystems, many species have overlapping niches. For instance, there might be two tree types that provide food for a particular bird. If a disease destroys one of those species, the other tree can still feed the birds. Less diverse ecosystems often do not have this overlap, so the loss of one species can significantly affect the whole system. Additionally, degraded ecosystems are less efficient producers of clean air, water filtration and carbon sequestration.
To protect native plants, both the Conway and the Battlefield actively manage invasive species with a combination of physical plant removal and chemical controls. Common invasives in this area include Autumn Olive, Japanese Honeysuckle, Tree-of-heaven, Japanese Stiltgrass, Oriental Bittersweet, Wine Berry, and Multiflora Rose.
How can you help?
Two of the best ways individuals can help is to plant natives and remove invasive plants on your property.
The same happens with invasive plants. Humans either intentionally or accidentally move non-native organisms to new regions where they grow and reproduce quickly. In these new habitats they have few predators, and out-compete native plants for resources. As a result, the diversity of native plants declines.
This is problematic for an ecosystem. A diverse plant community supports a diverse animal community and makes an ecosystem more resilient to disease. Every species fulfills an ecological role, called a “niche.” In diverse ecosystems, many species have overlapping niches. For instance, there might be two tree types that provide food for a particular bird. If a disease destroys one of those species, the other tree can still feed the birds. Less diverse ecosystems often do not have this overlap, so the loss of one species can significantly affect the whole system. Additionally, degraded ecosystems are less efficient producers of clean air, water filtration and carbon sequestration.
To protect native plants, both the Conway and the Battlefield actively manage invasive species with a combination of physical plant removal and chemical controls. Common invasives in this area include Autumn Olive, Japanese Honeysuckle, Tree-of-heaven, Japanese Stiltgrass, Oriental Bittersweet, Wine Berry, and Multiflora Rose.
How can you help?
Two of the best ways individuals can help is to plant natives and remove invasive plants on your property.