Environment
- In natural ecosystems, invasive plants displace or destroy native plant populations.
- Many rare and endangered native plants are also at risk from extinction from non-native plant invasion.
- By removing the natural wildlife, invasive plants also reduce wildlife habitat.
Aquatic & Riparian
- Shallow root systems can increase erosion, causing higher surface runoff, which increases stream sediment and reduces water quality.
- Riparian invasive plants often grow in dense monocultures, resulting in negative impacts to nesting, cover and breeding habitat for fish and wildlife.
- Infestations can change wetland structure by trapping sediments, creating higher, drier land that favours tree and shrub species rather than wetland species.
Agriculture
- Invasive plants outcompete with existing forage and are often unpalatable to livestock, reducing overall levels of grazing.
- They also compete with agricultural crops and reduce overall crop yield and quality.
- Invasive plants require costly, long-term strategies to control and manage their spread.
Forestry
- Dense infestations of weeds increase the risk of wildfire because they are a source of fuel as they mature.
- Noxious weed infestations compete with new tree seedlings for soil nutrients, light and moisture. This results in increased costs for silviculture.
Recreation
- Invasive plants degrade the natural beauty biodiversity of the landscapes.
- Invasive plants can limit access for recreationalists (i.e. gorse and Himalayan blackberry).
Health & Safety
- Some invasive plants are toxic, can cause skin and respiratory irritations (i.e. giant hogweed and daphne).
- Some invasive plants cause seasonal allergies and hay fever (i.e. Scotch broom).
- Some invasive plants can be toxic to horses and livestock (i.e. tansy ragwort).
Learn more here: http://www.coastalisc.com/category/main/priority-invasive-plants/