Non-Native Plants Costly for Environment and Budgets
"Non-native plants cost the US about $200 billion each year to monitor, contain and control," says Jack Pizzo, andscape architect and president of Pizzo & Associates, Leland, IL.
Non-native invasive plants are species whose introduction outside their ecological homes causes economic or environmental harm. They quickly establish themselves in a new habitat that has favorable conditions and no natural predators to balance their growth and spread. They can also threaten or eliminate the ability for native species to thrive because they DO have natural predators and have evolved to live with moderate growth in a robust community of competitive species.
That number keeps climbing with international trade, travel and shipping that move plants, animals and disease organisms with globalization.
Native plants contribute to natural systems, but invasive species can upset delicately balanced systems of water availability, sunlight, and soil quality. Many natives have adapted over time to tolerate local weather conditions and often feature deep root systems which can find water during drought conditions.
Invasive trees, shrubs and vines can spread not only their own species, but enable diseases to spread more rapidly and impact blight, rot and insect damage, as well as impact water supplies, pollinator migrations and native wildlife species habitat.
There are many local, regional and national conservation organizations that work to preserve native plants and species, as well as eradicate invasive populations. Nature is a very "localized" natural system -- and local action and vigilence are required to monitor and reclaim degraded land systems.
The Conservation Foundation - Illinois
The Conservation Foundation is a nonprofit land and watershed protection organization established in 1972 by business and community leaders, The Conservation Foundation is a not-for-profit land and watershed protection organization. Our headquarters are located in Naperville, Illinois, on a 60-acre working farm, and a program office is located in Montgomery, Illinois.
The Conservation Foundation
Dickson-Murst Farm
2550 Dickson Road
Montgomery, IL 60538
Phone: (630) 553-0687
http://www.theconservationfoundation.org/
Non-native invasive plants are species whose introduction outside their ecological homes causes economic or environmental harm. They quickly establish themselves in a new habitat that has favorable conditions and no natural predators to balance their growth and spread. They can also threaten or eliminate the ability for native species to thrive because they DO have natural predators and have evolved to live with moderate growth in a robust community of competitive species.
Approximately 50,000 foreign species of plants thrive in the US.
That number keeps climbing with international trade, travel and shipping that move plants, animals and disease organisms with globalization.
Native plants contribute to natural systems, but invasive species can upset delicately balanced systems of water availability, sunlight, and soil quality. Many natives have adapted over time to tolerate local weather conditions and often feature deep root systems which can find water during drought conditions.
Invasive trees, shrubs and vines can spread not only their own species, but enable diseases to spread more rapidly and impact blight, rot and insect damage, as well as impact water supplies, pollinator migrations and native wildlife species habitat.
There are many local, regional and national conservation organizations that work to preserve native plants and species, as well as eradicate invasive populations. Nature is a very "localized" natural system -- and local action and vigilence are required to monitor and reclaim degraded land systems.
The Conservation Foundation - Illinois
The Conservation Foundation is a nonprofit land and watershed protection organization established in 1972 by business and community leaders, The Conservation Foundation is a not-for-profit land and watershed protection organization. Our headquarters are located in Naperville, Illinois, on a 60-acre working farm, and a program office is located in Montgomery, Illinois.
The mission of the Foundation is to preserve open space and natural lands, protect rivers and watersheds, and promote stewardship of the environment in Illinois.
The Conservation Foundation
Dickson-Murst Farm
2550 Dickson Road
Montgomery, IL 60538
Phone: (630) 553-0687
http://www.theconservationfoundation.org/
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