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Mammoth Cave National Park
Nonnative Species
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| Garlic mustard, a pervasive alien species |
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Exotic Species: There are two categories of exotic species which have had significant impact on park forests: pathogens and invasive plants. Chestnut Blight and Dutch Elm Disease have virtually eliminated American chestnut and American elm and a similar fungal disease is currently impacting the American Butternut tree. Invasive exotic plant species such as honeysuckle, garlic mustard, kudzu, Microstegium, silver poplar, and Ailanthus out-compete native species and are therefore spreading. With over 1,000 species of flowering plants - including 84 tree species - the potential for loss of biodiversity is great.
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Did You Know?
Native Americans of the Early Woodland period gathered minerals from Mammoth Cave between 2,000 and 4,000 years ago ... no one knows why. Objects they left behind – slippers, cane torches, gourds, and mussel shells – remain perfectly preserved in the cave.
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Last Updated: July 24, 2006 at 22:37 EST |
