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INVASIVE PLANTS
Invasive plants are those whose
presence causes economic, environmental, and/or human health
problems. The vast majority of invasive species are non-native; in
other words they do not occur naturally in a place, but have been
introduced by some means to an area. Since these species are in a
new environment, there are few if any natural predators, parasites,
or competitors to keep the population in check. Therefore, it is
easy for these plants to spread and quickly out-compete native
plants, literally covering them and breaking them down or shading
them out. Invasive plants often reduce the availability of wildlife
food and habitat in the infested areas.
Invasive plants are a
particular nuisance in riparian (streamside) areas because they
often do not have the root structure necessary to prevent erosion
along mountain streams, nor do they provide appropriate leaf/twig
material that aquatic insects and fish need. HRWC works to eradicate
invasive plant species as part of its restoration program of work.
The HRWC restoration coordinator can often assist landowners with
eliminating invasive plants and recommending native alternatives in
riparian areas in the upper Hiwassee River watershed. For technical
assistance, contact Tony Ward at
restore@hrwc.net
or (828) 837-5414 ext. 203.
OTHER COMMON
INVASIVE PLANTS FOUND LOCALLY
These pages are designed to give the
layperson a general overview of non-native invasive plants commonly
found in the upper Hiwassee River watershed. For more comprehensive
and technical information about a particular species, visit one of
the web sites from our
Links
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