The Importance Of Invasive Species

Invasive plant species pose a tremendous threat to natural resources throughout the United States. Invasive species can choke out acres of native vegetation and greatly reduce wildlife habitat. Invasive plant species threaten every aspect of ecosystem health and productivity on public and private lands, threaten biological diversity by causing population declines of native species, and alter key ecosystem processes like hydrology, nitrogen fixation, and fire regimes. Preventing, managing, and controlling these invasive species is necessary to keep them in check. Physical, biological, and chemical methods are used to control and eradicate exotic invasive plant species. Physical control methods involve hand-pulling, pruning, cutting, mowing and …show more content…
Exotic invasive has become a mainstream grouping but the phrase is misleading. An exotic plant just means a plant that is from another ecosystem. A plant can be exotic and not be invasive so the phrase is somewhat of an oxy-moron. These terms should not be placed together in the forestry community. There are many examples of exotic plants that do not pocess any invasive traits. In fact there are exotic species that have helped save entire countries. Radiata pine or Pinus radiate is a tree native to the central coast region of California, but its real success story is across the ocean in Australia. Its fast growth and decent timber value has allowed it to flourish in foreign environments. In Australia the Radiata pine has allowed the country to provide for all its timber needs without cutting down any native species. This not only helps the natural bio process, but leaves the trees that are vital for wildlife to flourish. So Australia can build their houses and keep their Eucalyptus …show more content…
This is a huge investment in that it takes several years of commintment. Invasive species cannot be control on a one time bases; they have to constantly be controlled year after year due to their resilience and new germination. The negative impact of invasive plants can be reduced by focused and aggressive use of a combination of mechanical, cultural, and chemical control methods, which will support the restoration of a healthy and diverse natural habitat. Herbicides are a valuable tool, but caution should be used as to not over apply these chemicals, and use the least amount possible to kill the