An "invasive species" is defined as
a species that is:
non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem and
is likely to cause economic or
environmental harm or harm to human
health.
Animals Hemlock
Wooly Adelgid
– 1951 into eastern
US from western
states – prior
introduction from
Asian cargo in
1920’s.
Emerald Ash
Borer – in
cargo from
Asia in 2002
– now in KY
European
Starling –
Introduced in
1890 as part of a
plan to introduce
to the U.S. all
birds mentioned
in the works of
Shakespeare .
House Sparrow
too
Zebra Mussel–in Great Lakes in mid 1980’s – came in
the ballast tanks of ships as larvae – extremely destructive
to water intake and living organisms due to habit of
attachment
Plants -
Kudzu – 1876
Centenial –
widely planted
prior to 1930’s
for erosion
control.
Riparian Zones
A riparian zone is a vegetated area
(a "buffer strip") near a stream which
helps shade and partially protect a
stream from the impact of adjacent
land uses. It plays a key role in
increasing water quality in streams,
rivers, and lakes, and provides many
environmental benefits.
Riparian Zone Environmental Benefits
Provide habitat - Riparian buffers act as crucial habitat
for a large number of species, especially those who have
lost habitat due to agricultural or urban use.
Increase biodiversity - This vegetated area of land near
a water source becomes a prime location for species that
may have left the area. With this re-establishment the
number of native species and biodiversity in general can
be increased.
Buffers acting as corridors - Buffers also serve a major
role in wildlife habitat. The habitat provided by the buffers
also double as corridors for species that have had their
habitat fragmented by various land uses.
Zone 1. Functions mainly to shade the water source and act as a bank stabilizer. The zone should include large native tree species that grow fast
and can quickly act to perform these tasks.
Zone 2. Usually made up of native shrubs, this zone provides wonderful habitat for wildlife, including nesting areas for bird species. This zone
also acts to slow and absorb contaminants that Zone 3 has missed. The zone is an important transition between grassland and forest.
Zone 3. This zone is important as the first line of defense against contaminants. It consists mostly of native grasses and serves primarily to slow
water runoff and begin to absorb contaminants before they reach the other zones. Although these grass strips should be one of the widest
zones, they are also the easiest to install.
Riparian Invasive Plants
Japanese Honeysuckle
Bush Honeysuckle
Mimosa or Albesia
Alanthus or Tree-of-Heaven
Winter creeper
Periwinkle
English Ivy
Multiflora Rose
Air Yam
Garlic Mustard
Japanese Knotweed
Burning Bush
Native Riparian Plants
Cattails
Sedges
Switchgrass
Little Bluestem
Trees
Box Elder or
Ashleaf Maple
Silver Maple
Sycamore
Willows
Elms
Cottonwood
Buckeye
Spice bush
Edge Plants
Blue Lobelia
Cardinal
Flower
Bidens Sticktights
Swamp
Mallow
Swamp
Milkweed
Button
Bush
Virginia Bell
Flower
Spotted
Jewelweed or
Touch-me-not.
Also a yellow
species. Good
remedy for the
next plant.
Poison Ivy – leaflets 3,
let it be. White berries.
Virginia Creeper – 5
leaflets – non poisonous
(unless you eat it).
Questions to consider:
Why are native species more
desirable than invasive species
in riparian zones?
What can be done to remove
invasive species from riparian
zones?