Invasive Species

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.