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Phragmites,
(also known as common reed)
can block marsh and waterfront views, as
well as reduce the habitat quality for wading
birds and waterfowl
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What is the problem
with invasive non-native plants?
According to the US Department of Agriculture, 5000 acres are being
lost each day to invasive plants. Invasive non-native plants in
the US cause over $35 billion in annual losses (Pimentel et al,
1999). Infestations of invasive non-native plants can cost thousands
of dollars to control, and limit the landowner’s options for
present and future management objectives. When invasive non-native
plants such as Chinese privet, cogongrass, kudzu, and autumn olive
establish into a natural area, the aesthetic value and biological
integrity of native forests and grasslands are at risk.
Whether a natural area is being managed for recreational use, scenic
beauty, or ecological values, there is a significant benefit to
controlling invasive non-native plants.
Controlling invasive non-native plants can:
• Provide for timely and cost effective management of natural
areas by reducing future maintenance and control costs.
• Allow for greater recreational access by controlling fast
growing non-native vines and shrubs.
• Improve the scenic quality of an area by removing the wall
of vegetation that can reduce visibility into forest and grassland
areas.
• Allow for the long-term management of native grasses, forbs,
shrubs and trees, which can be easier and cheaper to maintain than
highly manipulated landscapes such as turfgrass, ornamental beds,
and exotic plantings.
What is the cost
of invasive plants to?
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| It
is estimated that kudzu infests over 7 million acres in the
Southeastern US. |
Example: Kudzu (Pueraria
montana)
Kudzu is a plant that destroys native forests throughout the southeast.
Kudzu is extremely adaptive, and the vines can spread over 60 feet
in one year. That means 1 acre of kudzu can become 11 acres of kudzu
in just 10 years, increasing the cost of control by over 10 times,
while killing trees, and displacing native vegetation.
For the landowner, manager, or real estate investor, these increased
expenses and losses of productive land caused by kudzu can devalue
a property.
Example: Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)
Leafy spurge is an invasive non-native plant that
infests millions of acres in the Western US. In a presentation at
the 1997 “Exotic Pests of Eastern Forests” Conference,
a banker named Charles Weiser provided examples of how leafy spurge
can reduce or remove the cattle grazing value of native range lands.
In specific real estate transactions, it was shown that leafy spurge
reduced land values of infested ranches by as much as 83%. Charles
stated that “The highest cost you will ever pay is the lost
income and drop in value as the alien plants take over. The lowest
cost is for early and continued control at first appearance. That
first $1 spent on small patches will save income, land values, and
the extremely high costs of control later.”
Let CWC help you with your invasive plant problem
CWC has developed an invasive plant control offering
to assist landowners, land managers and herbicide applicators in
developing treatment and control solutions.
For specific information and assistance with your invasive problem,
please contact Matt Nespeca (mnespeca@comcast.net,
cell: 843-833-5250).
CWC Chemical employs Matt Nespeca as an invasive species consultant.
Matt has 12 years of experience in vegetation management, and has
worked extensively with complex invasive plant problems throughout
the southeast. He worked for 7 years for BASF Corporation as a technical
specialist, sales representative and product manager. Matt has a
M.S. in Forest Biology from Virginia Tech, and a B.S. in Forest
Resource Management from Auburn University. Matt is both a registered
forester and commercial applicator, and partners with a network
of specialized applicators and professionals to provide results
for landowners, land managers and other clients.
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