Invasive Plants.ppt

Invasive Plants Monica Vernon Ecol 474 What is an Invasive Plant? An invasive plant species is defined as one that has or is likely to spread and develop self-sustaining populations, and become dominant or disruptive. Invasive plants interfere with ecosystem function and are a serious threat to biodiversity and productivity in different habitats. Also Known As Invasive plants are also known by names such as weeds, and include adjectives such as alien, noxious, exotic, transient, or foreign, to name just a few Why Does it Matter? Invasive plants are second only to habitat loss and degradation in endangering native plant species. They are also the second most serious threat to biodiversity in all ecosystems. Negative effects of the invasive plants can be seen in many factors including competition for resources, hybridization, introduced or increased nitrogen fixation, and increased sedimentation among other things. Invasive weeds in wetland areas cause problems for water resource managers, can inhibit drainage and interfere with intended uses for a body of water, and also provide a habitat for vectors of diseases. A recent estimate on the cost of invasive plants was put at $35 billion a year. History Plants original uses were medicinal and agricultural, but over time with society acquiring more disposable wealth, they also became a hobby with ornamental gardening and experimentation. Experimental gardens, commercial nurseries, and international trade of plants and seeds flourished Today’s interest in horticulture and plant exploration is one of the pathways of invasive plant introduction and spread. The United States has encountered various problems for over a century due to invasive plants, largely because of ornamental use or intentional introduction How are They Being Spread? The Internet Rarely differentiates between the plants that are invasive and those which are not. Every aquatic plant that was listed on the federal or state noxious weed list was