invasive species in central wisconsin pt. 2

Changing the conditions of the Environment

Buckthorn infested Forest

Buckthorn, a common invasive plant in Wisconsin, invades forests and competes with other young trees and plants for space. According to the Wisconsin DNR website, there are a number of reasons buckthorn can do this. One way it does this is by taking away food sources from other plant species. Another is buckthorn develops its leaves earlier than other native plants, so it has a leg up on growing and getting sunlight, this inhibits other native plants ability to receive sunlight and grow. Over time, when buckthorn is allowed to spread and prosper, it dramatically changes the landscape of a region. For example, in central Wisconsin, some forest species are bunchberry, Canada mayflower, and large-leaved aster. After buckthorn is introduced, the plant will spread and wipe out all of these important native plants.

Common Canada Mayflower

               

Jump on the Band Wagon

There are so many people already on board for getting rid of invasive species. There are many at a state level and a national level. This makes getting involved in the campaign and movement to rid land of invasive species very easy. If you don’t know what to do, or how to get involved, these organizations are a great start. First, at a state level here in Wisconsin, is the IPAW, or Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin. The purpose of this organization is promoting better watch over our natural resources in Wisconsin.  They are also encouraging people to help them in the prevention of these invasive plants. They have stated that this organization tries to educate and gather people together to fight these invasive species. Their major concerns are buckthorn, garlic mustard, honeysuckle, purple loosestrife and reed canary grass. By donating a $20 fee to the organization, you can become a member. Every donation they receive helps fund the educating and the prevention of the invasive plants.

At a national level, the Nature Conservancy preserves natural communities of wildlife by doing what they can to prevent invasive species from taking over these areas. This organization follows laws and regulations by working with government officials and other organizations. Their goal is to keep land as it is so that future generations may see it and appreciate it as we have done.  Their website gives helpful facts and information as to what they are doing and how you can help them. One fact the site held was that invasive species worldwide has done more than $1.4 trillion in damages. One great thing about this organization is that it works in all 50 states and over 30 countries in the U.S.

As you can see, it’s pretty easy to get involved. If you can’t go out and stop the spread of invasive species, there are organizations that can, if you help them! Donating a few dollars can really go a long way in preserving our lands and preventing more invasive species from sprouting up in new areas. Every little bit helps, even just informing yourself on the issue helps, but getting involved in some way is the best thing you can do to save our Earth from invasions.

Sources:

http://www.ipaw.org/index.aspx

http://www.nature.org/

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/forests/howwework/protecting-native-plants-and-animals-taking-on-the-invaders.xml?s_eng=google&s_ce=normal&s_med=ppc&s_dis=search&s_cs=text&s_cid=Invasive+Species+(GG)&s_ag=Invasive+Species&s_kwd=invasive%2520species&s_mt=p&gclid=CLXsj7HVtKwCFQaFQAodzmZeGw

effects of invasive species on the environment pt 1

Invasive Species in Central Wisconsin

The goal of this article will be to answer a few questions about Invasive Species. Hopefully after reading this article, you will be able to identify why invasive species have negative effects on the environment. There are a few reasons why invasive species negatively impact the environment.

Species from Other Regions/Countries

Species in our region of the country (along with everywhere else on earth) have competitors that have co-evolved with them, but what about species that have recently been introduced to our region? For example garlic mustard, a plant from England, grows in the forests and by the second year covers the ground, steals nutrients and water from the soil and secretes a chemical into the soil that inhibits the growth of other native plants. The reason for the success of garlic mustard is its lack of natural competitor in the forests of Wisconsin because there is no other plant species in our region that co-evolved with garlic mustard.

how the pros get it done. yeah buddy.

Videos, information, and removal service
from the pros! Check it out!
http://www.landscapeguys.com/buckthornremoval/?gclid=CLqn-J33rKwCFY3JKgodynZOFw

Great Video About Identifying and Pulling Garlic Mustard

 

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL1WpwFWlEk

Garlic Mustard, Buckthorn, Honeysuckle…oh my! [Part 3]

Honeysuckle

    Honeysuckle, though pretty, is a detrimental invasive species in eastern North America. In the beginning of the 19^th century, the species was introduced to America as a decorative plant that prevented the erosion of soil. According to Invasive.org, the species is even more widespread of a problem than Buckthorn or Garlic Mustard. “Japanese honeysuckle invades a variety of habitats including forest floors, canopies, roadsides, wetlands, and disturbed areas.” Buckthorn and garlic mustard are primarily on the forest floor, while honeysuckle vines grow up through the forest making itself more devastating to the native environment. Some threats that the species exhibits towards other organisms are competition for soil moisture and exuding chemicals that are toxic to other plants.

Source: http://www.invasive.org/browse/subinfo.cfm?sub=3039

What Can You do About Invasive Species? How can You Help?

The first thing that you can do to help stop the spread of invasive species is to learn how to identify the invasive plants that are in your area. Once you know how to identify these species there are many things you can do. The first is to report any new sightings in your area to local landowners. The sooner that invasive species are seen and taken care of, the easier and less expensive it is to control.

The next thing that can but done to help is to avoid passing through the invasive species. What this means is to not pass through it while hiking, camping, or driving. Stay on established roads and trails. Basically you don’t want to spread it even more to other areas. After being outside make sure to check your clothes, shoes and any gear you had with you and even your animals for seeds or other pieces of the plants. Seeds can also be stuck to your cars so make sure to wash it off after coming out of a plant-infested area. If you see seeds, dispose of them in a plastic bag so they don’t grow.

If you have a boat or are on a boat, wash it and remove all plants, animals and mud after leaving the water. Clean and dry your boat before going into a new body of water.  Drain all water from your boat before leaving the water. If you have extra bait that you don’t want, throw it in the trash. Don’t release them into the water (unless it came from that water body.)

If you are a farmer, use weed-free hay and feed for animals.

Inform others! Tell your family and friends about the seriousness of this problem.

Become a part of the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN)- a group of federal, state and local governments, universities, industries, non-profit organizations, and the general public working together to address the threats. They contribute by preventing, detecting, and  responding to the plants while managing and controlling species, researching, and providing resources to educate others. For more information visit mipn.org.

Seek out other resources in your area where you can volunteer to help inventory or control invasive plants. When controlling the plants make sure to do it before the harvest activities so there is no dramatic increase in the number of invasive plants.

Be on the lookout for invasive species to help wipe them out!

Garlic Mustard, Buckthorn, Honeysuckle…oh my! [Part 2]

                                                                       Buckthorn

Introduced to North America in the 1880’s, European Buckthorn has been a nuisance ever since. Like many invasive species, the plant was brought over from Europe as a decorative shrub. Today, it has the connotation of being anything but decorative.

The Buckthorn plant can be found in the northern half of the United States including the Great Plains and Canada. According to a research journal by the University of Wisconsin Press, "Surveys of European buckthorn populations reveal that it dominates the understory of some red oak Quercus rubra forests and can decimate populations of native herbaceous plants.” Buckthorn is a common pest here in Wisconsin and can be found nearly everywhere in the Midwest.

Source: http://web.ebscohost.com/views/static/html/Error.htm?aspxerrorpath=/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer

Photos: Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute. Usage Requirements.                     

Department of Natural Resources

Looking for more information on invasive species in Wisconsin? Check out http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/


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Garlic Mustard, Buckthorn, Honeysuckle…oh my! [Part 1]

Garlic Mustard

               Garlic Mustard is one of the most well-known invasive species. The plant can be found in the lower portion of forests; mainly because it requires low light levels. According to Michigan State University, it has very few predators in the United States and is therefore an extremely threatening species.

The most prevalent reason that Garlic Mustard is such a threatening species is because of its rapid growth rate. Garlic Mustard is known to spread on average about 20 ft. per year! The mustard plant literally takes over the ground level of forests nearly wiping out the native species. In an article, published by Michigan State University by the Department of Entomology, the authors refer to an example of just how threatening the species can be. “Researchers in Ohio experimentally removed garlic mustard from a forest understory and documented subsequent increases in the richness and abundance of annuals and woody perennials including tree seedlings.” The plant is ultimately harmful to the environment and has devastating effects on native species.

Source: http://www.ipm.msu.edu/garlicAbout.htm