Invasive species issue - History/background
The History of Invasive Species
Invasive species cross over thousands of miles by land, sea, and plane. Some are brought over intentionally while others are unintentional. Those that are brought intentionally were meant to beautify the gardens and lands. However, the Japanese stiltgrass was merely a means of "packing material for porcelain." It goes to show that invasive species make their way around the world so we must be careful and vigilant.
The Environmental, Social, and Economic context
Invasive species cross over thousands of miles by land, sea, and plane. Some are brought over intentionally while others are unintentional. Those that are brought intentionally were meant to beautify the gardens and lands. However, the Japanese stiltgrass was merely a means of "packing material for porcelain." It goes to show that invasive species make their way around the world so we must be careful and vigilant.
The Environmental, Social, and Economic context
- Environment
- "Invasive species are one of the leading threats to native wildlife. Approximately 42% of Threatened or Endangered species are at risk primarily due to invasive species."
- They don't have natural predators, thus being able to thrive
- Without anything keeping these invasive in check, they outcompete the native species for sunlight, nutrients, space, and water
- They also do massive damage on the ecosystem
- Example: Stilt grass grows abundantly near the creek. They may look nice and green, however their roots are extremely short (a mere few inches at most). A storm could easily uproot the stiltgrass causing erosion and loss of soil. Native plants, such as switchgrass and indiangrass have long roots that extend several feet down into the soil. This helps with keeping the soil in place.
- Social
- Impair many of the things humans need to live
- food, shelter, water
- Harsher living conditions
- Invasive plants block paths
- Restricted access to recreational activities
- Fish could die because some plants cause water to be more saline
- Deer could die out because they can't eat invasive species (such as stiltgrass)
- Chinese privet grows over paths, clearings, and understories of forests making hunting, hiking, biking, and camping difficult, if not impossible.
- Impair many of the things humans need to live
- Economic
- Invasive plants can detrimentally harm crops, meaning farmers wont be able to sell much produce and the people won't be able to buy. That's an overall loss in the market.
- They also grow where livestock live. Most of the livestock are unable to eat these invasive plants, causing them to starve and more farmers to lose money
- Electricity companies are also affected
- Invasive species must be managed and controlled
- The plants grow in "right of ways, up poles, onto buildings, and along power lines under control."
Campus partner history and challenges
Rocky Branch Restoration
- This creek was one of NC's most polluted urban streams since 1978
- Development
- No one cared
- Erosion and steep cliffs along the banks of the creek
- Goals:
- Bring stability to the creek
- Intertwine Rocky Branch Creek with the environment of the campus
- Improve upon the habitat and water quality
- Promote and outdoor "living" labratory
- Three Phases of Restoration
- Phase 1
- 3300 ft long
- $1.9 million
- Phase 2
- 1600 ft long
- $1.9 million
- 3.5 years
- There was a storm during this phase that caused damage but in the end, it was revealed that the native plants were efficient at holding the soil together.
- Phase 3
- 1400 ft long
- $3 million
- This was due to the loss of parking
- About 4 years
- Usually some meandering is fabricated but there was not enough area for it in this phase
- Phase 1
- Challenges
- Parking loss
- It was difficult to persuade NC administration to get rid of the parking near phase 3
- A lot of money went into making that parking lot and a lot of money was generated from parking passes
- Weather
- Tropical Storm Alberto - June 14th, 2006
- Rain halted reconstruction
- There was always a fear of massive erosion
- Parking loss