Invasive species are a national ecological threat to the outdoor places we love; from our backyards to where we hike, camp, fish, hunt, and enjoy.
Feb. 25 through March 3 marks National Invasive Species Awareness Week, and all around the country activities to inform the public about invasive species and help protect our environment are taking place.
What is an invasive species? Invasive species can be plants, insects, or animals. They are introduced, non-native species that thrive in areas beyond their natural range. Did you know that approximately 37 percent of Pennsylvania’s plants are non-native plant species?
Not all non-natives are invasive. The rapid rate of spread, ability to reproduce in new areas without assistance, as well as the extent of environmental impact helps determine if a non-native species is invasive. Many people have probably seen the rampant growth of Japanese knotweed along our rivers, or the non-native invasive honeysuckle shrubs taking over in our forests. Other invasive plants, such as Japanese stiltgrass and goatsrue, aren’t always so obvious on the landscape, but they are here and have real potential to spread and harm the environment.
Because invasive species spread so easily, we can only combat them if we work across the entire landscape. In our area, a cooperative group called the Allegheny Plateau Invasive Plant Management Area (APIPMA) was formed to educate the public and to combat invasive plants within the Upper Allegheny watershed in a five-county area. APIPMA brings together federal, state, and local agencies along with private industry and local citizens to work toward invasive plant awareness, inventory, prevention, early detection, and control. Ultimately, APIPMA would like to prioritize the most critical areas in our region to target invasive plant control and eventually offer assistance to private landowners.
One invasive species of particular concern and on APIPMA’s Top 5 list is Japanese knotweed. This plant is characterized by large, heart-shaped leaves that grow from hollow, bamboo-like stems. Knotweed is able to grow in a variety of environments, such as riparian areas, right-of-ways, and spoil sites and spreads rapidly once established. The plant produces flowers through the late summer and early fall, but mainly reproduces through its rhizome system below ground, which makes it extremely difficult to control.
Over the summer months of 2018, APIPMA hosted workshops to educate interested individuals about the ecology, monitoring, and management of invasive plants. Through these workshops, we have established a “Citizen Scientist” network that monitors for new infestations of invasive plants within the APIPMA boundary. Volunteers are able to make observations using an online database while they are enjoying the outdoors.
Observations are made using the iMapInvasives app on smartphones or tablets. This tool allows you to record, download and post invasive plant locations to the internet. To see how it works, visit www.imapinvasives.org/.
For additional information regarding invasive plants in the area, contact Maddie Stanisch at the McKean County Conservation District at (814) 887-4020 or at MMStanisch@mckeancountypa.org.
