Invasive Plants

Strip of invasive plants images.

Noxious weeds are non-native, invasive plants. At first glance they may appear pretty, but invasive plants can pose serious environmental threats.

What is an Invasive Plant Species?

An "invasive species" is defined as a species that is

Non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration; and,
Whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. (Executive Order 13112).

Why are invasive plants successful?

Many invasive plant species produce large quantities of seed.
Many invasives thrive on disturbed soil.
Invasive plant seeds are often distributed by birds, wind, or unknowingly humans allowing seed to moving great distances.
Some invasives have aggressive root systems that spread long distances from a single plant.
These root systems often grow so densely that they smother the root systems of surrounding vegetation.
Some plant species produce chemicals in their leaves or root systems which inhibit the growth of other plants around them.

Dalmation Toadflax with inset a snapdragon. The pretty flower is easily mistaken for a snapdragon. Beautiful but dangerous!

What are the impacts of invasive plant species?

Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species, and for 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species, invasives are the main cause of their decline.
Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space.
Overall plant diversity can be decreased
Establishment and spread of invasive species can degrade wildlife habitat
Results in poor quality agriculture lands
Degraded water quality
Increased soil erosion
Decreased recreation opportunities

These impacts change nature's balance on which all species depend.

REMEMBER, INVASIVE PLANTS ARE EVERYONE'S PROBLEM.
SPREAD THE WORD, NOT THE INVASIVE PLANTS!

You can help!

Here are a few things that you can do to fight invasive plants and preserve the plant species native to your region:

Do not pick the flowers of noxious weeds and take them home.
Drive only on established roads and trails away from weed infested areas.
When using pack animals, carry only feed that is certified weed free.
Remove weed seeds from pack animals.
Don't pick and transport wild flowers that you can't identify.
Do not camp or drive in weed infested areas.

The Chief of the USDA Forest Service has identified invasive species as one of the four critical threats to our Nation’s Forests and Grasslands. The USDA Forest Service has designed an invasive species program whose goal is to reduce, minimize, or eliminate the potential impact of invasive species across all landscapes and ownerships.

Wanted Dead - Purple Loosestrife poster.

Forest Service National Strategic Framework for Invasive Species Management

The Forest Service National Strategic Framework for Invasive Species Management responds to a 2010 USDA Office of Inspector General audit of Forest Service invasive programs by providing a consistent, agency-wide approach to the prevention, detection, and control of invasive insects, pathogens, plants, wildlife, and fish. The Framework provides broad and consistent strategic direction across all Forest Service Deputy Areas and agency programs. The Invasive Species Systems Approach (ISSA) identifies the elements and actions of the Framework that all programs and units within the National Forest System, Research and Development, and State and Private Forestry should take, as appropriate, in addressing invasive species.

Prevention
Detection
Control and Management
Restoration and Rehabilitation

Non-Native Invasive Species Program Accomplishments…

Non-native Invasive Species Learning Kit

Non-Native Invasive Species Learning Kit logo.

Developed by the Forest Service's Eastern Region, Interactive Non-native Invasive Species learning kits are available to educate preschool to adult groups about non-native invasive plants and animals.

Kit 1: Get a Grip on Biodiversity (PDF, 337 KB)
Kit 2: Meet the Invaders (PDF, 285 KB)
Kit 3: Close the Doors (PDF, 667 KB)
Kit 4: Do Something (PDF, 5.3 MB)

For More Information

To learn more about this program and invasive species please visit the following websites:

Aquatic Invasives in the Great Lakes Region
Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

Aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes Region include both plants and animals, which are mostly spread through human activities such as boating and fishing. Once introduced to bodies of water these species proliferate, disrupting the food chain and damaging native fish populations.

Download panel (PDF, 1.6 MB)…