Garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata, is an invasive species affecting forested lands and their ecotones throughout the northeast. Agencies of Western New York state, including The Buffalo Audubon Society, Western New York Land Conservancy, Friends of Reinstein Woods and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have joined forces to improve habitats of three natural areas…
Hawaii is not only paradise for people seeking adventure, relaxation, big waves and fun, it is also a haven for invasive species. State legislature in Hawaii has proclaimed the invasives problem “…the single greatest threat to Hawaii’s economy, natural environment and to the health and lifestyle of Hawaii’s people.” Among the offenders are little fire ants,…
Invasive species find their way into the country via unchecked boxes, pallets, luggage and hitchhiking on animals. Once here they can multiply and spread unchecked due to the lack of natural predators and because it may take some time before we realize there is a problem, containment and elimination becomes near impossible. Unfortunately, often the…
This week, February 22-28, is National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW). Events have been organized across the country to help educate the public about the insidiousness of invasive species, the problems they cause and what we can all do to help. Find an event near you and participate and help identify solutions to invasive species issues…
Ever since 1999 when fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) were first identified on the big island of Hawaii, the battle to protect farm and natural lands from them has been raging. This invasive pest, native to South America, has since been found on Oahu and Kauai. In certain areas officials had the infestation under control…or so they thought. Following…
Mycorrhizal fungi are the beneficial fungi which can form symbiotic relationships with the plant roots of nearly all evergreen species and approximately 60% of deciduous plants. This symbiotic relationship provides plant roots with additional surface area with which to absorb water and nutrients and allows the fungus to feed on sugars and starches produced by…
Affliction Appearance The first breeding populations of Asian long-horned beetles (Anoplophora glabripennis or ALB) was discovered in 1996 in New York. This incredibly invasive and destructive species was accidentally introduced through shipping cargo from Asia. While three states, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio, are under federal quarantine, suitable habitat is found in almost every state. Federal…
Invasives Invasion Invasive species can make habitat conservation, restoration and management incredibly difficult. Once non-native, invasive or noxious plants establish themselves, removal and eradication become very labor intensive, requiring manual removal, possible chemical applications and years of monitoring and maintenance. Invasive species will compromise a habitat by taking over the niche of native species, native…
Endangered, Exploited or Extirpated…oh my! There are over 5,000 plants (5,679 to be exact) currently listed either federally or by state as threatened, endangered or various other protected statuses. Woody vegetation or trees make up 470 of the plants on the list. They aren’t cute and fuzzy like the many listed animals so plants don’t get as…
