General Info
This term describes the reduction of native biodiversity caused by invasive plants altering habitats and outcompeting indigenous species.
What is the loss of native biodiversity?
Where does the Brazilian Water Weed grow?
This invasive plant commonly grows in still and flowing water such as ponds, lakes, and rivers.
What is Japanese knotweed?
Japanese knotweed is a fast-growing, invasive plant native to East Asia, known for its bamboo-like stems and heart-shaped leaves.
How does the English Ivy grow?
The English ivy can grow in sprawling patterns both horizontally and vertically, forcing surrounding native plants to die off as they suck out the resources. This results in the ground being covered or a climbing vine.
What type of plant is the giant salvinia?
Giant salvinia is a pteridophyte. It is a free-flowing, rootless aquatic invasive fern, which floats just below the water surface.
According to a Virginia Tech research team, as invasive plants gain a foothold in habitats, this group of animals is diminishing.
What are native animals?
What are some of the effects on the ecosystem from the Brazilian Water Weed?
It overtakes habitats and will end up outcompeting the native species while also restricting water movement which increases sedimentation and affects water quality.
Why is Japanese knotweed considered invasive?
It spreads aggressively through underground roots, outcompeting native plants and causing damage to buildings, roads, and infrastructure.
List two of the effects that English Ivy can have on trees
English ivy can strangles saplings due to weight and accelerates rot and decay by containing moisture against the tree bark
Where is the giant salvinia native to? And how did it come to the U.S.?
It is native to south-eastern Brazil and was legally imported into the United States to be used in aquariums and garden ponds.
This approach involves using living organisms to control invasive plant species, as discussed in a book reviewed by Oregon State University Press.
What is biological control?
Under Minnesota law, you can legally buy, sell, and own Brazilian Water Weed, but doing this is strictly prohibited.
What is introducing or releasing it into public waterways which is one of the ways it is known to be spread on top of hitching rides on boats and trailers.
How does Japanese knotweed spread?
It primarily spreads through its root system, but even small fragments of the plant can grow into new plants if moved or disturbed.
Where is English Ivy native to?
Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. It was brought over by English settlers as an ornamental plant.
If left untreated, what can the giant salvinia do to its environment?
Giant Salvinia can completely take over and destroy the ecological and recreational environment of a lake.
A University of New Hampshire Extension article discusses whether invasive species can have these types of effects on wildlife.
What are the beneficial effects?
Brazilian Water Weed is typically spread into waterways by people doing this illegal action.
What is emptying home aquariums into public waters?
How does Japanese knotweed damage buildings?
It can exploit cracks in concrete, asphalt, and masonry, leading to structural damage if left unmanaged.
What is one way that English ivy can be controlled or maintained?
Mowing. The entire infestation must be mowed to starve out the plant, and it must be done frequently like a lawn.
How does the giant salvinia harm its habitat?
By forming huge mats of vegetation, this aquatic weed creates "dead zones" in freshwater ponds and lakes by blocking out the sun's rays from penetrating through the water column thereby inhibiting photosynthesis and killing everything below it. In addition, it degrades fisheries habitats, decreases water quality.
A study from the University of Florida explains how this global phenomenon can worsen the impact of invasive plants.
What is climate change?
Dense growth of Brazilian Water Weed negatively affects these two physical changes in water.
What are lowering water temperature and reducing oxygen content?
How long does it take to eradicate Japanese knotweed?
It can take 3–5 years of consistent treatment and monitoring to fully eradicate due to its persistent roots.
What are some defining features of English Ivy?
Three to five lobes per leaf, glossy leathery dark green appearance, may have a variety of patterns such as an addition of white or light green colors.
What is one way that scientists have been used to eliminate giant salvinia? What are the downsides of this method?
Chemical control. The method is effective and the most prevalent control method in the United States but tends "to produce only short-term control and can become expensive, especially when multiple treatments are needed over the course of a growing season."