Invasive Species Here?

The green things are finally growing again – how welcome they are after our long winter! And while it may look like all is well when all is green, there are some plants that just don’t belong here. Not too many; not like the acres of Japanese Barberry that now dominate the understory in many forests in the mid-Hudson Valley or the tall showy Common Reed that has filled in so many of the Long Island marshes that once were filled with an array of native plants that sustained the native mammals, fish, and invertebrates. In the Adirondacks, the relatively severe winters and geographic isolation have kept many of the worst non-native invasive species out of sight and mind. But some of these species are knocking at the door, if not already making themselves at home, and I believe it is important to maintain the unique natural systems we have in the Adirondack Park. The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP), associated with The Nature Conservancy’s Adirondack Chapter, is on a mission to understand and manage the confirmed and potential invaders of important ecosystems in the Park. (Although the name doesn’t convey it, the scope of the APIPP has been broadened to include all invasive species, such as non-native fish and the notorious Emerald Ash Borer. The Program’s reach has also expanded beyond the park’s boundaries north to the U.S. border in Franklin and Clinton counties.)

Last week I attended a training session for volunteers who are willing to survey within the Blue Line for invasive plants that are becoming established here, as well as those that are just appearing. The Summer 2010 project is intended to resurvey the areas that were covered in the first such invasive plant surveys done in 1998 and 1999. We will be driving the roadways and hiking trails looking specifically for certain invasive plants, such as Purple Loosestrife, Common Reed, and Wild Yellow Iris, that are known to be making inroads, as well as any others that are present and just beginning to become established. With the aid of GPS units and Google maps that will help us pinpoint locations, each occurrence will be mapped and decisions will be made about whether immediate removal measures should be taken by the APIPP staff and partners.

The issue is not really whether these species are non-native or even whether they show invasive tendencies. We have many wonderful agricultural and horticultural species that are both of these. The concern is with species of plants and animals that grow and reproduce rapidly enough to threaten and displace native species that we value for a variety of reasons. For example, in spite of the beauty and ease of growing the Wild Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), it can spread in marsh habitats to displace most of the native wetland plants that support reptiles and amphibians that require more open habitats provided by the growth habits of the native vegetation. My first view of the problem caused by this iris species – probably 25 years ago – took place when traveling a road that crossed a marsh into Vermont, where the entire marsh was apparently filled with the yellow blooms. I didn’t realize then the implications of this gorgeous monoculture. Many of the most serious invasive plant species were introduced by well-meaning gardeners who had no idea how easily these plants might spread to natural areas and cause ecosystem disruptions. (Think Wild Yellow Iris, Purple Loosestrife [Lythrum salicaria], and Japanese Barberry [Berberis thunbergii].)

Admittedly, it is a complicated problem, but here are some things we can all do to keep invasive species out of the Adirondacks as long as possible and to control those we already have:
• Check out invasive plant lists before buying nursery plants. (Staff at nurseries often don’t know.)
• Remove invasive plants on your property to slow their spread by way of seeds and fruits.
• Educate friends and neighbors about invasive species.
• Wash your boats and gear to keep Spiny Water Flea, Water Chestnut, and other species out of new waterways.
• Check your fishing bait carefully and follow DEC guidelines to keep non-native fish and fish diseases from destroying Adirondack fisheries.
• Don’t transport firewood. Buy local to prevent introduction of forest pests like the ash borer.
• Learn some of the most common invasive species and report sightings to APIPP. Use this link: www.adkinasives.com You can also contact the APIPP Director Hilary Smith at 518-576-2082 x131 or hsmith@tnc.org

And here are a couple of links for more information:
• Bugwood Website (University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species & Ecosystem Health)
http://wiki.bugwood.org/Invasipedia

• New York Invasive Species Information (Sea Grant/Cornell University)
http://nyis.info/