We are in the process of final editing on our new booklet, “The Dirty Dozen” listing 13 Cape Cod invasive plants, their identification, ecology and management options. This will be posted on our home page and available as a pdf right here. Check our OCEAN newsletter for updates.
INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT
Invasive (non-native) plants in our sensitive resource areas crowd out native species. Invasive plants are fast growing and aggressive. They easily out compete native vegetation for nutrients, sunlight and moisture This crowds out native species and reduces native plant biodiversity. Reductions in native plant population stress native animals by reducing food and shelter options. Up to ten times more native animals may live in native plant habitat than in invasive, exotic plant habitat.This overall pattern creates economic impacts.
Invasive plants appear in disturbed areas because their growth rate easily out competes native vegetation that may have been present prior to the disturbance. This requires careful re-vegetation on construction sites. Our Intern Vida is shown above, removes Queen Anne’s Lace, or “wild carrot” from a sensitive, coastal habitat restoration. This invasive is removed before seeding, by gently (so seeds aren’t released) pulling up the stems, root and all.
Large scale removal of invasive plants must be matched with re-planting of native species, to conserve the overall biomass or the invasives will simply reappear. Large scale invasive plant removal should be done with a three year management plan, to give slower growing native vegetation the chance to become dominant.
A warning to homeowners removing invasive vegetation themselves: please DO NOTÂ put the removed vegetation in compost piles! This will spread the seeds to dozens of other homes. Bag the removed plants and dispose of them with household trash. On Cape Cod, our trash is incinerated to produce electricity.
Free Consultations, 508-237-3724
gordonsafeharbor@yahoo.com
