English Ivy is an invasive species in many parts of the United States, forming “ivy desserts” where little else can grow and even causing trees to fall under its weight.
Invasive species are non-native plants, animals, and other organisms that evolved in one region and have been introduced through human activity to a new one and then spread rapidly, destroying habitat and out-competing native species.
Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to wildlife today, causing the decline of roughly 42% of threatened and endangered species. Invasive plants can cause huge damage to local ecosystems and wildlife by outcompeting native plants. As gardeners, we’re on the front line when it comes to battling invasive plants, especially as an estimated 85.5% of invasive trees, shrubs, and vines in certain regions were introduced as garden ornamentals.
Action Steps You Can Take Include:
- Get to know the most common invasive plant species in your area. Many plants have look-alikes, so practice identifying the species you see most often.
- Commit to removing any invasive plants in your own yard or garden and replacing them with native species. Avoiding purchasing known invasives in the future.
- Read up on the best removal methods for the invasive plant species in your garden. Some plants do well with simple manual removal, while others need to be treated with an herbicide to prevent their return.
- Dispose of any invasive plant matter in a way that prevents further spreading. Some invasive plant species spread many seeds or can easily root and regrow if left on the soil, so disposing of the plant matter in plastic bags is best.
- Plant native species in spots where you have removed invasive species. There’s nothing that invasive plants like more than open soil, so put some roots in the ground!
- Talk with your community members about invasive species and what you’re doing to remove them and why. Many people have no idea that the plants in their own yards are invasive and causing damage to the local ecosystem.
Know the Difference
Native Plant: A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction. These plants have formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife over thousands of years, making them the best choice for supporting local wildlife. Learn more here.
Non-Native Plant: A plant that has evolved in other parts of the world or has been cultivated by humans into forms that don’t exist in nature. These plants do not support local wildlife as well as native plants and can in some cases escape cultivation and become invasive.
Invasive Plant: A non-native plant that has ‘escaped’ into the wild and spreads quickly, destroying the natural habitat. They can easily outcompete the native plants that are vital to local wildlife.
All species are native somewhere and some species dispersion and range expansion is natural (however it typically takes centuries or millennia, not decades). Even when invasive species offer some resources to wildlife such as berries or nectar, the net negative impact when they rapidly spread and push out native plants is far greater than any benefit they might provide.
Remember, invasive species aren’t evil or inherently bad, their negative impact is simply a byproduct of our own activity. It’s up to us to address that negative impact.
