Stewardship is the responsible management and care of natural resources, and when it comes to invasive plants, stewardship involves taking steps to prevent their introduction and spread, as well as controlling and mitigating their impact once they are established. Here are the top 10 reasons why stewardship is important:
- Ecological Impact: Invasive plants can displace native species, alter ecosystem function, and disrupt the balance of native plant and animal communities. This can result in the decline or even extinction of native species, and negatively impact ecosystem services such as pollination, soil stability, and nutrient cycling.
- Economic Impact: Invasive plants can reduce crop yields, increase the costs of managing public and private land, and decrease property values.
- Public Health Impact: Some invasive plants produce chemicals that can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, and some can even be toxic if ingested.
- Fire hazard: Invasive plants can increase the risk of wildland fires, by providing a continuous fuel source for fires to spread.
- Increase in Pest and Disease: Invasive plants can also increase the prevalence of pests and diseases which can affect both native and agricultural plants.
- Damage to Infrastructure: Invasive plants can clog drainage systems, damage buildings and other structures, and make roads and railways unsafe.
- Reduced Recreational Value: Invasive plants can make recreational areas such as parks, forests, and wetlands less accessible and less enjoyable for visitors.
- Reduced Biodiversity: Invasive plants can reduce the overall biodiversity of an area by displacing native plant and animal species.
- Increased Carbon Footprint: Invasive plants can release large amounts of CO2 and contribute to global warming as they tend to grow quickly and consume more resources than native plants.
- Costly to control: Once invasive plants are established, it can be very expensive and difficult to control and remove them from an area, requiring regular treatments and management.
By being informed, making conscious choices, and taking action to control and mitigate the impact of invasive plants, we can help preserve and protect our natural resources for future generations. We at From Lawn to Table encourage leaving a legacy of stewardship through thoughtful design and research. Happy Planting!