Every day invasive plant species are threatening
the conservation of our nation’s vital agricultural and natural resources.
Forests and rangelands are being contaminated, cropland production is
significantly reduced, streams and water ways are being choked with weeds so
they no longer function, and wildlife are losing habitat. This is just the
beginning of the destruction invasive plant species exact on our nation’s
natural resources if they continue to advance. Because invasive species are too
numerous to list in a brief description, they are simply referred to as Invasive
Plant Species.
Several PMCs throughout the nation are evaluating
the ability of native species to compete with invasive plants in riparian and
wetland systems. In New York, Oregon, Missouri, New Mexico, and Idaho, the
Program is evaluating several native herbaceous and woody wetland species for
their ability to compete with some of the worst invasives, including purple
loosestrife, Japanese knotweed, invasive thistle species and reed canarygrass.
In Missouri and Washington, techniques are being developed that will improve
re-establishment of native plants into areas currently infested with reed
canarygrass. In Maryland, propagation, production and establishment methods are
being developed for native aquatic species to help prevent hydrilla invasion and
improve aquatic habitat in the Chesapeake Bay.
All 27 PMCs are developing native plants for a variety of
conservation uses to combat and replace invasive plant species. |