by Brenna Scheiderer, Sustainable Plant Systems major
In this post, I wanted to discuss the topic of invasive plants and how they have such a large impact on our society today. If you asked a variety of people what an invasive plant is and its importance a large part would probably not know exactly what it is and the damages it has on us.
A great example of an invasive species is the kudzu vine that is well known in the southern parts of the states. The very fast-growing vine covers other plant and land to the point where it is unrecognizable. There is not much control for this plant. Its grows so fast and is aggressive that it needs a lot of maintenance.
When the invasive plants like kudzu is not watched and contained they have the ability to over power and push out native species. When this happens not only are the plants are effected but the ecosystem they live in is also hurt. When they plants are gone the insects that feed on them will start to increase so on and so forth. Eventually the ecosystem in gone as well.
What makes it possible for plants like kudzu to become invasive is that when they are introduced into a new ecosystem is that they have no natural predators. When there are no predators this is when the plants have no method to control their growth. The invasive plants will keep continuing to grow and reproduce until something stops and controls it.
I think it is very important to educate others about invasive plants and how much it affects us. When educated we think about our actions and how introducing a plant where It is not native might not have a positive outcome.
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This blog post was an assignment for Societal Issues: Pesticides, Alternatives and the Environment (PLNTPTH 4597). The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the class, Department of Plant Pathology or the instructor.